By Shrinivas Iyer
New Delhi’s Le Méridien turned into a hub of flavours and stories at the grand launch of Romance of the Indian Curry – 365 Flavours for the Year, authored by renowned Chef Davinder Kumar, Vice President (F&B) at Le Méridien New Delhi and President of the Indian Culinary Forum.
The evening’s highlight was the presence of Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and India’s G20 Sherpa, who unveiled the book with Chef Kumar. Praising the work, Mr. Kant said, “Chef Davinder Kumar has created a masterpiece that allows people to savour Indian curry every day of the year. With 365 recipes, this book is not just a collection but a celebration of India’s diverse culinary heritage.”
Speaking on his inspiration, Chef Kumar noted, “This book is my tribute to India’s extraordinary food traditions. It reflects my passion for preserving our heritage while inspiring young chefs to innovate and take Indian flavours to the global stage. I hope to leave a legacy through this work.”
The launch drew a distinguished gathering of cultural and industry icons, including Padma Shri awardee and Bharatanatyam exponent Pratibha Prahlad, and visionary hotelier Tarun Thakral, Executive Director of Le Méridien New Delhi.
A special panel discussion followed, featuring culinary experts Dr. Pushpesh Pant, Rocky Mohan, Gautam Anand, Kamal Kant Pant, Anoothi Vishal, and Chef Vinit Manocha. They shared insights on India’s food heritage, the evolution of dining, and global gastronomy trends. The discussion also explored the book’s wide relevance — from budding chefs and culinary schools to home cooks, international chefs, and entrepreneurs abroad seeking to recreate authentic Indian curries with modern kitchen techniques without losing flavour.
With its extensive range of recipes, Romance of the Indian Curry offers something for every food enthusiast while celebrating India’s diverse culinary identity.
The book is currently available on Amazon https://amzn.in/d/eanSqyv and will soon be listed on Chef Davinder Kumar’s official website https://chefdavinderkumar.com.
