< PreviousHaving sang on over 1,000 Bollywood movies, Asha Bhosle is also a successful restaurateur. The founder of Asha’s was in Dubai to celebrate her 86th birthday and spoke to Caterer Middle East What is your earliest food memory? My early childhood was spent moving from one town to another with my father’s travelling theatre company; comprising of over 200 employees, they would perform wonderful musical plays which would continue throughout the night and end at dawn. Exhausted, ‘The Company’ had food together, with my father presiding at the head of the table. Little me would wander through the community kitchen, fascinated by the food being prepared in massive cauldrons. I enjoyed watching the joy on the diners’ faces as they savoured tasty delights. I suppose this was my induction into the fine art of cooking. This is one of my oldest food memories. What inspired you to become a restaurateur? Over the years I refi ned my musical talents along with my culinary interests and seriously attempted to learn the diversity in Indian food, which changes from region to region. India is the land of countless religions, cultures, languages, dialects and taste buds. My attempt to give you a glimpse of a few regional dishes here at Asha’s only scratches the surface of the vast potential of Indian cuisine. The UAE has become a home to so many nationalities from around the world, so I chose here to launch my restaurant so that people from a variety of cultures can come and enjoy the authentic Indian recipes served only at Asha’s. How would you describe your personal culinary style? I love the simplicity of the best ingredients married together with beautiful spices. I try not to over complicate my cooking — it is the taste and the enjoyment that means the most to me. What do you enjoy the most about cooking yourself? If you can sing well then you need to eat Bowlful of Asha’s what do you enjoy the most about it? Every time I come to Dubai I get so much love from fans. Every year on my birthday, people from here make video calls to give me their best wishes. They come to my restaurant here and often ask for me. So, I thought why not celebrate my birthday here this time? For me, it was more about meeting fans at my restaurant, arranging food that I specially curated for our menu, and also having a good time. If you weren’t a singer what would you be? I always get asked this question — if I wasn’t a singer I would surely be a chef. What does the future hold for Asha’s restaurants? Simple — continued growth of our restaurants across the globe. well, and if you eat well then you usually enjoy cooking. Cooking comes from the heart — it should be made with love, for others to enjoy, just like singing. I sing from the heart, with love for others to enjoy. I love cooking as much as I love singing — that’s why I have my signature dishes at my restaurant. How is Asha’s doing in Dubai and the Middle East? Started in Dubai 17 years ago, the Indian restaurant chain has become a fi rm favourite of our guests with locations in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi. But, we have also expanded into the UK with restaurants in Birmingham, Manchester, and Solihull. So, we are doing well globally. How often do you get to Dubai and Famed Indian singer Asha Bhosle is the founder of Asha’s. Last Bite Asha Bhosle www.caterermiddleeast.com 50/ Caterer Middle East | October 2019CAMPAIGN FINANCED WITH AID FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION The content of this advertorial represents the views of the author only and is his sole responsibility. The European Commission do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains. 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