Every television viewer from the 1990s remembers watching the show 'Khana Khazana' with the mustachioed chef who effortlessly cooked mouth-watering dishes with a warm smile, and signed off every recipe with his signature phrase 'namak swaad anusaar'. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor is often dubbed the face of Indian cuisine. In 2017, he received the Padma Shri in his chef's whites, becoming the first person to break the traditional dress code. The Ambala-born chef spoke to Neha Bhayana about his parenting journey, modern culinary habits and the value of traditional cooking.
Chef, entrepreneur, husband, dad — which is the toughest role?
I think every role comes with its own responsibilities and learning curves. The truth is that nobody has all the answers. You learn on the job and grow through every phase of life. Nothing feels tough when you genuinely enjoy the journey. I believe a lot depends on your outlook towards life and how you embrace both the challenges and the beautiful moments that come along with every role.
Your daughters are all grown up now. What are they pursuing?
Rachita (28) is a lawyer by profession, but over the years, she has also become deeply involved in our media and digital business. She brings a very sharp strategic perspective to everything we do. Kriti (31) is based in London and is pursuing a career in sports marketing and analytics. She has always been passionate about sports, so it's wonderful to see her build a career in a field she genuinely loves.
Your elder one is married now. From father to father-in-law, how has the journey been?
It has been a beautiful journey. As a parent, you always want your children to be happy and feel supported. Seeing them build a life of their own is very fulfilling. At the same time, the family grows, relationships evolve, and that is something very special to experience.
Most kids miss mummy ke haath ka khana when they grow up and move away. Do your kids miss papa ke haath ka khana? Do you cook at home too, or only at work?
Haha! Our daughters love good food, so there are always special requests when we are together. Since Kriti lives away now, her cravings for ghar ka khana are more, be it papa ke haath ka ya mummy ke haath ka. Some of their favourites that I cook when we are together are laksa and palak khichdi, which we make in a mitti ki handi, though honestly, sometimes it's simply whatever they feel like eating at that moment. Alyona (his wife) is a wonderful cook too. In fact, she makes the best dosas in our house, and all of us love them.
Were you a present papa or a weekend dad when your daughters were growing up?
Family has always been my priority. I strived to be there for them whenever they needed me. Whether it was helping them study before exams, attending school events, or cheering Kriti on during her sports competitions, I made sure to be there. I would block important dates in my calendar in advance so that I didn't take up work commitments on those dates.
What, according to you, is the most challenging part of being a parent?
I think the most challenging part is finding the right balance between giving your children guidance and values, while also allowing them the freedom to become their own individuals. As parents, you want to protect them, but you also have to learn when to step back and trust them.
Were you a strict dad or a soft one?
Woh toh aapko meri betiyon se poochna padega! Main toh soft hi kahunga! (You will have to ask my daughters that. I would say soft). Alyona always says that when the daughters want something, they go to papa!
Is the old school 'hands-off' parenting better than today's 'hands-on', super-involved parenting or vice versa?
I don't think parenting can be defined as a single, definitive approach. Every generation parents differently based on the times they live in. What's important is finding the right balance and understanding what your child needs at different stages of life. It's important to communicate.
Who's harder to feed — a fussy child or a fussy customer at a restaurant?
A fussy eater is a fussy eater, whether it's a child or an adult! In fact, sometimes adults can be even more fixed in their preferences and less willing to experiment. At least with children, tastes evolve with time. But honestly, understanding people's food likes and dislikes is all part of the fun and challenge of being a chef.
Cooking is a survival skill, but these days, few parents bother to teach their kids to cook. Today's generation relies more on Zomato and Swiggy than on their own kitchen. Your thoughts?
Cooking is a life skill, and everyone should know at least the basics to be able to take care of themselves. Food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy are a reflection of changing lifestyles and convenience-driven living, which is natural with every generation. At the same time, it's important to understand the value of a home-cooked meal. Yaad rakhe, ghar ke khane mein pyar hota hai aur bahar ke khane mein vyapar (Remember, home-cooked food is full of love and take-away meals are a business). As parents and as an industry, we should strive to make home cooking easy, approachable, and interesting for children, so they learn it while enjoying the process.
Aloo paratha and khichdi used to be staple meals for kids. But these days, parents worry that their child may not be getting enough protein or fibre if they eat these. They also try to eliminate sugary foods. Is it important to watch what kids eat so closely?
There's a lot of value in traditional foods, and they are meant to be had as part of a balanced meal. Balance is always the key. We shouldn't look at eliminating foods. The focus, however, should be on moderation and balance. Parents should also eat well-balanced meals for children to emulate them.
Feeding kids is one of the biggest parenting stressors. You often see moms chasing their kids with bites or handing the iPad at mealtime. How can parents help their kids develop a good relationship with food?
Mealtimes should feel relaxed and enjoyable, not stressful or forced. The more pressure we attach to food, the more difficult it can become for children to build a healthy relationship with it. Children learn a lot by observing, so when families eat together and parents themselves enjoy balanced meals, children naturally pick up those habits. It also helps to involve children in menu planning, grocery shopping, and meal prep wherever possible. When kids participate in the process, they naturally become more curious, comfortable, and connected with food from an early age.
