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Harpal Singh Sokhi

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Harpal Singh Sokhi
Sokhi in 2020
Born1966 (age 57–58)
Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
Occupations
Known for"Namak Shamak"
EducationDiploma in Hotel Management from IHM, Bhubaneswar
Spouse
Aparna Sokhi
​
(m. 1996)​
Culinary career
Cooking styleIndian Cuisine
Current restaurant(s)
    • Karigari Noida sector 51
    • Karigari Advant Noida Secto 137
    • Karigari WorldMarkII Gurugram
    • The Treasury Boston
Television show(s)
Websiteharpalssokhi.com

Harpal Singh Sokhi (born 1966) is an Indian celebrity chef and restaurateur. He began his career in 1987 at The Oberoi in Bhubaneswar, becoming an executive chef six years later. Over the following years, he worked at several luxury hotel chains in India. He is best known for using the catchphrase "Namak Shamak".

Early life

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Harpal Singh Sokhi grew up in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India where his father worked with the Indian Railways. He has two older sisters and one brother. He studied at the South Eastern Railway Mixed Higher Secondary School. He was inspired to become a chef by his mother's cooking. His father travelled a lot for work, and encouraged his kids to try a lot of different cuisines.[1] His brother also cooked food at a langar.[2]

Inspired by the academic atmosphere in Kharagpur (which is home to IIT Kharagpur), Sokhi initially wanted to pursue engineering, but was not good at studies.[3] He also expressed interest in joining the Indian Air Force (IAF), but by the time he decided to apply, he had crossed the maximum age limit. He came to know about the hotel management career from a friend who studied in Siliguri, West Bengal. Sokhi's brother encouraged him to appear for the hotel management entrance exam, and Sokhi enrolled at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Bhubaneswar in 1984.[3][4]

Culinary career

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In 1987, Sokhi completed his diploma in catering from IHM Bhubaneswar.[1] He started his career as a trainee cook at The Oberoi in Bhubaneswar. At 27, he became an executive chef.[3] Sokhi spent several years in learning different international cuisines. He learnt Hyderabadi cooking from Ustad Habib Pasha and Begum Mumtaz Khan.[5] He also did research on Ayurveda-based food to see how cooking can improve nutritive value of the food.[6][7]

Sokhi went on to work as a chef with several restaurants, including:[6] Vintage, a Hyderabadi speciality restaurant, Centaur Hotel, Juhu, Mumbai, Hotel Tuli International, Nagpur (1994–98), The Regent, Mumbai (1998–2001)z The Regent, Jakarta, Taj Lands End, Bandra, Mumbai[8][citation needed], and Blue Cilantro in Andheri, Mumbai[9] Sokhi has conducted cooking schools at Regent Jakarta and The Peninsula Manila. He has also organised Indian food festivals internationally.[6] In 2001, he and others founded Khana Khazana India Pvt Ltd. He led food trials, developed ready-to-eat products for the Khazana brand, and conceptualised a range of chocolate mithais (Indian sweets).[1] He has also been involved with the Ching's Secret brand.[10]

Sokhi executed the business class menus on Singapore Airlines for seven years, and also conducted the "Ancient Indian Food" promotion on Indian Airlines. He has also developed menus for SOTC travels.[1][7] Besides, he has developed menus for Wockhardt Hospitals.[1] Hetaught as a guest faculty member at the N. L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research.[11] He has also designed menus for many events, including weddings and birthday parties.[7]

Television

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In 1993, Sokhi hosted the first episode of Khana Khazana on Zee TV.[3][6] He launched his first solo show Harpal ki Rasoi on Nagpur's local Siti Cable TV, but the show was not as successful as Sokhi expected it to be. Later, Sokhi started hosting Turban Tadka on Food Food channel, which gained him popular recognition in India. He is famous for his phrase "Namak Shamak" and song he sings while seasoning his food.[3] It became one of the top cookery shows by TRPs.[12] Sokhi came to be known for his phrase namak shamak.[13]

He has also hosted the TV shows Kitchen Khiladi[14] and Sirf Tees Minute on FoodFood channel.[1] In 2014, he hosted Zee News' road food show Desh da Swaad, travelling across India.[15] He is also one of India's top chefs on YouTube.[16] In 2016, he participated in the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9.

He is currently the Celebrity Chef Coach on the TV show "Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment" on Colors, where he guides celebrities through comedic culinary challenges along with Bharti Singh where harpal is making food too to help the celebrity participants to cook well [17]

Other ventures

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In 1998, Sokhi conceptualised and executed the opening of the Indian specialty restaurant Khazana in Dubai.[6] He also formulated business plans and opening plans for other restaurants.[1] In 2012, he launched his own restaurant chain The Funjabi Tadka (TFT).[18] The flagship branch of the restaurant opened on 18 January 2013 in Kolkata.[19]

Sokhi has written food columns for newspapers and magazines.[7] He is one of the oldest associates of Sanjeev Kapoor,[20] and has developed content for his books.[1] The two have authored a book Royal Hyderabadi Cooking.[21]

Personal life

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Sokhi lives in Mumbai with his wife Aparna. The couple has two daughters: Anushka and Antra. He is fluent in six languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Odia and Telugu.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sanjeev Kapoor. "Star Chef of the Month: Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi". Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  2. ^ "नमक-शमक फेम हरपाल सिंह ऐसे बने शेफ". Amar Ujala. 9 November 2013.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b c d e Amrita Madhukalya (29 June 2014). "Dash of cheer". DNA.
  4. ^ Suhani (7 October 2012). "In Saoji,the balance of ingredients is very good.That is the real art of Cooking – Harpal Sokhi". Nagpur Today.
  5. ^ Sulekha Nair (23 November 2008). "Royal aromas, at home". Financial Express. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi". Food Food. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d "About Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi". Official website. Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  8. ^ Mewati Sitaram (16 April 2015). "Chef Profile – Harpal Singh Sokhi". Mumbai Messenger.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Rashmi Uday Singh (2005). Mumbai by Night. Popular. p. 62. ISBN 9788179910009.
  10. ^ "UpperCrust Food and Wine Show's 12th edition from Friday". DNA. 3 December 2014.
  11. ^ "Guest faculty". NL Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Would love to highlight Kolkata street food: Harpal Sokhi". Indian Express. 19 January 2013.
  13. ^ Rashi Walia (4 August 2015). "Famous faces of cookery shows on television". The Times of India.
  14. ^ Mona (6 December 2013). "Spice route". The Tribune Life+Style. Chandigarh.
  15. ^ Amrita Madhukalya (26 June 2016). "Zee News to air new food and travel show, Desh da Swaad". DNA.
  16. ^ "Home chefs find YouTube way to success". India Today. 31 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi on his newest show Laughter Chefs". etimes.in. 16 May 2024.
  18. ^ Subhro Niyogi (22 November 2012). "Celeb Namak Shamak chef to serve Funjabi Tadka". The Times of India.
  19. ^ "New in town: The Funjabi Tadka". The Telegraph. 17 January 2013.
  20. ^ Manjari Saxena (19 November 2013). "Sanjeev Kapoor: Signature restaurant in Abu Dhabi is a 'no brainer'". Gulf News.
  21. ^ "Master Hyderabadi cuisine". The Hindu. 24 October 2008.
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