Kunal Kapur

4 NOT OUT
I have been part of YCO since its incep-tion in 2015. Wherever there is excite-ment around food, I deserve to be there and that’s exactly where I am! It’s been a wonderful experience judging the Young Chef Olympiad at IIHM.

THE OLYMPICS OF FOOD
It’s the first time ever that something like this is happening in our country and there is so much excitement around food. The beauty about this particular challenge is that there are people from all across the world sharing a common passion, which is food and cooking, and we have all come together here in India. It’s a proud moment for India to be hosting something like an Olympics for culinary and cooking.

THEN VS NOW
When I started 15 years ago, we didn’t have such competitions... we never had this opportunity. And you can’t always read a book to learn cooking! I think YCO is a great stepping stone. This is the perfect platform for young budding chefs to showcase their talent to the world. I feel good, and I feel lucky and excited to taste the food they make.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING
While judging, I watched out for their timing, it is very difficult to deliver under pressure.

Currently : Executive sous chef, The Leela Ambience, Gurgaon.

Judge : YCO Judge from 2015-18. Host and judge of Masterchef India Season 1,2,3 and 5, and Junior MasterChef India Season 1.

Other TV shows : Utsav Thalis of India, My Yellow Table, Pickle Nation.

Famous personalities he’s fed : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel.