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Economic Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Gauri Khan's restaurant chef breaks silence on viral 'fake paneer' controversy: 'It was a blessing in disguise'
After being accused of serving "fake paneer" by a content creator, Gauri Khan's restaurant Torii faced backlash—only to come out stronger. Head chef Stefan Gadit revealed the controversy actually boosted business. Clarifying the scientific misinterpretation behind the iodine test, the team turned a PR crisis into an unexpected opportunity, proving that confidence and clarity can flip the script. Torii, the Mumbai eatery co-owned by Gauri Khan, faced viral accusations of serving inauthentic paneer. But instead of damage, the controversy sparked curiosity. Chef Stefan Gadit revealed that business improved, calling it a "blessing in disguise." (Screenshots: Instagram/t oriimumbai ) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Chef Stefan Gadit Speaks Out: 'We Had Nothing to Worry About' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Negative Publicity, Positive Outcome When a social media influencer alleged that Gauri Khan's Mumbai restaurant Torii served 'fake paneer,' it triggered a food scandal none saw coming. The accusation, based on a self-conducted iodine test, claimed that the paneer had starch—a tell-tale sign, the influencer said, of it being inauthentic. The video gained traction fast, dragging Torii into a digital courtroom where culinary expertise was put on trial by trending in an unexpected twist, the fallout turned out to be more promotional than a candid interview with The Indian Express, Torii's head chef Stefan Gadit broke his silence and addressed the whirlwind. 'The quality, the ingredients, everything we provide is top-notch,' he said. 'It makes an impact when we point fingers at something baseless... there's a lot of food chemistry involved. Just pouring something on food doesn't always tell the full story.'The chef maintained that Torii had followed every protocol and standard when it came to food sourcing and preparation, especially for Asian-inspired dishes which often use soy-based ingredients that can react during such of retaliating, the restaurant decided to educate. Gadit revealed that the management reached out to the influencer for a discussion, explaining how food science works—an approach that paid off. 'He understood and took off the post,' said Gadit, emphasizing that the restaurant trusted its customers to see through the than hurting the restaurant's business, the viral moment surprisingly boosted it. 'It increased our business and I got more than 20-30 followers on Instagram,' Gadit added with a laugh. 'So that was a blessing in disguise.'This unusual outcome proves how the digital age has changed the rules of crisis management—where sometimes, even bad press can be a marketing the viral video, Torii had promptly issued a statement clarifying that the test conducted only indicated the presence of starch, not the authenticity of the paneer. The statement reaffirmed that soy-based elements in certain Asian dishes could trigger such results, but that didn't make the paneer 'fake.' They stood by their food, stating their 'commitment to excellence remains unwavered.'For Gauri Khan's Torii, a viral accusation became an unexpected campaign—one that not only proved their culinary integrity but also added curiosity and footfall.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Gauri Khan-owned restaurant's head chef says fake paneer controversy helped business: Everything we provide is top-notch
Earlier this year, in April, Gauri Khan's Mumbai restaurant Torii landed in soup after a content creator claimed that the place served iodine-stained, dark paneer (cottage cheese) in their dishes. The restaurant had shut down the rumours, then. Now, in an interview with Screen, the restaurant's head chef Stefan Gadit has shared that the controversy had a reverse impact on the business, as it brought in more 'impact' to the place. (Also read: Gauri Khan's posh restaurant Torii reacts to 'fake paneer' found in their dish by YouTuber) During the interaction, the head chef said, "It makes an impact when we point fingers at something baseless. The quality, the ingredients, everything we provide is top-notch; we had nothing to worry about. We issued the statement so that people could know what is happening and how things are done. There is a lot of stuff going on with food chemistry and food science, it takes four years, just pouring something on something was just…don't get me wrong. He did that with his pure intentions, just wanted to check.' He went on to address whether the controversy affected the restaurant at all, and said, "It increased our business and I got more than 20-30 followers on Instagram, so that was a blessing in disguise, I would say.' YouTuber Sarthak Sachdeva later took down the video where he claimed 'fake paneer' was used in the restaurant. Torii had also responded to the now-deleted video in the comments. 'The iodine test reflects the presence of starch, not the authenticity of the paneer. As the dish contains soy-based ingredients, this reaction is expected. We stand by the purity of our paneer and the integrity of our ingredients at Torii,' read the comment. Gauri Khan's restaurant, Torii, opened last year on Valentine's Day. Sussanne Khan, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavana Pandey, Neelam Kothari and Seema Sajdeh had attended the launch.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Mumbai Train Accident
News MUMBAI TRAIN ACCIDENT NEWS 3 dead,26 injured as train derails in Nashik district November 16, 2013 3:29 am The derailed coaches included five sleeper class coaches,three 3-AC coaches. 3 dead,26 injured as train derails in Nashik district November 16, 2013 2:26 am The derailed coaches included five sleeper class coaches,three 3-AC coaches. Maharashtra: 3 dead,37 injured as Mangala Express derails near Nashik February 18, 2014 11:54 am The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained,a CR official said. Latest News The poison kitchen: Karnataka woman laces food with sleeping pills to murder family, arrested Updated: June 9, 2025 16:58 IST Mohammad Sujeetha MS, Superintendent of Police, Hassan, said that a team has been formed to nab the accomplice of the woman. Singapore-flagged container ship catches fire off Kerala coast, 4 crew members missing Updated: June 9, 2025 16:58 IST Singapore-flagged ship M V Wan Hai 503 caught fire 78 nautical miles away from the Beypore coast in Kerala. Dowry death: 20-year-old woman dies by suicide in Pune; husband arrested Updated: June 9, 2025 16:55 IST Pune resident Swati Suraj Pathak's husband and in-laws allegedly tortured her mentally and physically over dowry. South Bengal braces for peak heat as it waits for monsoon; North Bengal sees early rain June 9, 2025 16:52 IST However, there is a slight chance of rain with thunderstorms on Monday in some coastal areas of South Bengal and adjoining districts Sudden jerk on a sharp curve led to Mumbai train accident: GRP officer June 9, 2025 16:51 IST Speaking about Monday's accident between Diva and Mumbra stations, a senior Railway Protection Force officer said, 'Understanding the risk at this curve, additional RPF officers are always deployed here.' IIM Bangalore announces distinguished Alumni Awards 2025 June 9, 2025 16:49 IST IIMB has hosted the orientation for the incoming cohort of its two-year full-time MBA programmes, PGP and PGPBA, 2025-2027 batch, on 9 June 2025. Gauri Khan-owned Torii's head chef Stefan Gadit says fake paneer controversy helped restaurant: 'It actually increased our business' Updated: June 9, 2025 16:48 IST In an exclusive interview, Torii's head chef Stefan Gadit talks about the infamous paneer controversy where a content creator claimed the paneer served at Gauri Khan's restaurant was 'fake'. Los Angeles Immigration Protests LIVE Updates: 10 arrested, tear gas and rubber bullets fired as unrest in LA downtown brings US to a halt Updated: June 9, 2025 16:47 IST Los Angeles Immigration Protests Today Live News Updates: President Donald Trump has deployed at least 300 National Guards on ground in Los Angeles to maintain law and order and protect federal personnel and property. UP woman killed by father, brother due to 'shame' over her relationship with a man: police Updated: June 9, 2025 16:45 IST The Muzaffarnagar police found the half-burnt body of the woman from a jungle and a silver bracelet helped them identify her. Rajesh Khanna recalled he 'couldn't say no' to Rajiv Gandhi's smile when he asked him to contest elections: 'Ab aur kya filmein karni hain, bahut hogaya' June 9, 2025 16:42 IST In an old interview, late actor Rajesh Khanna had opened up about how he couldn't turn down Rajiv Gandhi when he asked him to contest elections.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Chef Stefan Gadit on curating the menu at Torii and working with Gauri Khan: ‘Her brief was clear'
After years of training in celebrated kitchens around the world, Chef Stefan Gadit found his creative home at Torii, the modern Asian restaurant co-founded by Gauri Khan in Mumbai's Pali Hill. Describing the opportunity as one that came at 'a very exciting time,' Chef Gadit walked through the evolution of his culinary style, the story behind Torii's menu, and what it's like to work with one of India's most recognisable families, hosting Shah Rukh and their kids, designing a menu for Torii and much more. Read edited excerpts from the interview below: Stefan Gadit: My culinary journey began with an early fascination with bold, global flavours and a desire to create immersive dining experiences. Over the years, I've explored diverse cuisines, trained in top kitchens worldwide, and eventually carved out a style that blends Asian precision with Mediterranean soul. Torii represents the culmination of this journey – a modern Asian dining concept that merges creativity, technique, and storytelling on every plate. Stefan Gadit: Torii came into my life at a very exciting time. The idea was to create something fresh and compelling in the Asian food space, and Gauri Khan, with her impeccable eye for design and detail, was looking for a culinary partner who could bring that vision to the table. Yes, she was personally involved from the start, and our creative conversations laid the foundation for what Torii has become today. Stefan Gadit: Torii's menu is a contemporary exploration of pan-Asian cuisine. It is rooted in Japanese sensibilities but peppered with influence from Korean, Thai, and Southeast Asian flavors. We serve sushi with unexpected pairings, playful small plates, and signature mains like miso-glazed cod or steak with black garlic jus. A personal favorite is the salmon tataki with seaweed and chili crisp, which captures the essence of balance and boldness. Stefan Gadit: Gauri was involved not just from a design perspective, but in shaping the restaurant's ethos, including the menu. Her brief was clear: she wanted food that was elegant, vibrant, and made with integrity. No shortcuts, no compromise on quality. She wanted dishes that felt luxurious yet comforting, with a strong emphasis on freshness and visual appeal. Stefan Gadit: Gauri loves the sushi and the robata grill section, particularly the charred broccoli and the salmon with smoked maple ponzu. She and her family have dined with us several times, always with warmth and genuine appreciation for the food and the team. Stefan Gadit: It's a mix of both. While they do enjoy dining at the restaurant when time permits, there have been occasions when they've opted for curated take-outs. A post shared by Torii Mumbai (@toriimumbai) Stefan Gadit: The sushi rolls, especially the dirty truffle and crispy tempura prawn, are consistent crowd-pleasers. Our Korean fried chicken bao and spicy avocado tartare also fly off the pass. The miso black cod is also always in demand. Stefan Gadit: We introduce seasonal tweaks every quarter to keep things exciting for our regulars. However, we retain a few signature staples that our guests have come to love and expect. Innovation is key, but so is consistency. Stefan Gadit: Deeply. My upbringing was filled with vibrant flavours, shared meals, and a deep respect for ingredients. That foundation taught me to cook from the heart while remaining curious and open to global influences. It's why Torii feels both personal and cosmopolitan at the same time. Stefan Gadit: Torii stands out because it's an experience. The design, the service, the playlist, the cocktails, and of course, the food, all come together to create a journey. It's that rare balance of elegance and approachability that keeps guests coming back. Stefan Gadit: These are my choices: 1. Salmon tataki with seaweed and chili crisp: It's layered, delicate, and bold all at once. 2. Charred broccoli with tahini and togarashi: A surprise hit that's earthy, smoky, and citrusy. 3. Dirty truffle sushi roll: Vegetarian but indulgent, packed with umami. 4. Fried chicken bao: It is playful, textural, and a crowd favourite. 5. Miso black cod: A classic done with finesse; it melts in your mouth. Shweta Sharma leads the lifestyle section at Over the years, she has written about culture, music, art, books, health, fashion, and food. She can be reached at ... Read More
