His Berry Pulao would put the iconic Britannia (Iranian café in Mumbai) to shame! Be it lamb chops, kebabs, biryanis from different regions of the country, traditional Konkani dishes, once it lands in his kitchen, under his culinary expertise, the dishes acquire a taste that is bound to linger in your palate. Growing up in Mumbai, the street food influenced his culinary journey. He loves Mumbai’s famous Vada Pav, Jhunka Bhakri and Misal. With his ancestral roots in Karwar (Konkan region) and influenced by the coastal city where he grew up, sea-food played an important role in his life which he loves to this date. And not to mention kolhapuri cuisine, from the interiors of Maharashtra. His engineering days in Pune made him a fan of keema-pav and the humble omelette served with kaddu-ka-sauce (pumpkin sauce). Settled in Singapore, today he not only replicates his favourites in his kitchen for that taste of home but rakes up a culinary motley with dishes from all across the globe. Presenting our Foodie-Of-The-Month, Bhushan Kowshik.
While his work at Accenture keeps him busy, whenever he has some free time, kitchen is where you would find him. Be it a Diwali or house-warming party, daughter’s or wife’s birthday, or simply a Sunday to indulge in something less ordinary, Bhushan is ready to set the table for a sumptuous spread. By his own admission, he mostly cooks what his family and friends love to eat while he personally loves the food he grew up with. He has travelled around the world which has further shaped his culinary trajectory. Hot-dogs, meat based pulaos and biryanis, kebabs, shawarmas, pickles, sushi, sashimi, salads and dips and pizzas with a special place for lobsters and crabs. But ask him what he loves to cook, it would certainly be a range of biryanis, hummus made with different types of beans, food from the Middle East and dals (lentil curry/soup) from the nooks and corners of India. In fact, his dal-gosht is a must try!
If you thought that Bhushan only cooks, you would be mistaken. He loves to serve, entertain and eat. Always on the look-out for something new or local, be it in Kolkata (his in-laws’ place), Mumbai, Singapore or anywhere in the world, he explores every landscape through food. Be it the benarasi paan which he loves to pop after a sumptuous lunch, that creamy phirni, the juicy lamb chop, or Bengal’s very local shorputi maach, ridden with thorns which he doesn’t mind sitting with patiently, savouring every bite after removing every thorn! He loves to cook, loves to eat and loves to entertain his guests with his food and their compliments are testimony to not only his culinary skills but his zest for food, glorious food. We at cookastory wish him all the very best for his culinary prowess and may his journey be tempered with all the spices in the world!
