Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, aged 92, passed away on Sunday, after a brief illness causing nationwide grief. While the late singer was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan (2008), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2001) and many more for her impeccable singing, she was also a passionate food lover. This is why she built a legacy called Asha’s Indian Contemporary Cuisine- an award-winning Indian fine dining restaurant known for its authentic North-West Indian cuisine and elegance. Scroll down to read about her connection with food.
Asha Bhosle’s connect with kitchen
In an interview with Curly Tales in July 2024 at her Dubai restaurant, the legendary singer got emotional and expressed her love for food and cooking. Clad in a pastel sari along with pristien white open chef coat and cap standing inside the kitcen she said, ” Mujhe chef coat aur cap pehan ke itni khushi hoti hai (I feel so happy wearing a chef coat and cap”. She added, “It feels like I am wearing some fancy and expensive dress.“For Asha, cooking started as a need as her son Anand often demanded home-cooked food. She recalled, “I used to return from recording, and in same clothes, after washing my hands I used to cook mutton, chicken, biryani for my son, as all these have been his favourite dishes.” Years later, he son decided to open a restaurant to celebrate his mother’s passion for cooking amidst her busy work schedule and that is how Asha’s was born, she mentioned in the video. According to the video, her passion for cooking was also driven by the insecurity, when her kids appreciated food of others (neighbours or relatives) and that used to push her to cook more innovative dishes and play around flavours.
Always a learner
While Asha Bhosle knew only a few dishes to cook, travelling became her teacher. Wherever she traveled, she asked local people about their dishes and how they made them. She then used to improvise the dishes with her touch and those same flavours are now served at her restaurants functional at around 14 locations around the globe. She learnt Maa Ki Dal from Peshawari people and Momos from Mala Sinha.
Asha Bhosle’s love for Indian tadka
Asha Bhosle was truly Indian at heart. While she loved all other cuisines, she knew the art of adding Indian tadka even to Italian dishes. In the same interview she mentioned, “When I am visiting any Italian restaurant, I simply ask for oil, salt, and chili. I mix it all and apply it on their breads and that is how I enjoy all other cuisines with an Indian touch.”
Asha Bhosle’s love for feeding others
More than a passionate eater, she always loved feeding people at home. While she is known for her prawn curry, she mentioned that she also knows a lot of seafood dishes, including Fish Biryani and Banana Leaf Fish Fry.
Asha’s specialities through Asha Bhosle’s lens
According to Asha’s website, the restaurant chain is functional in 5 countries and 14 locations and is known for its award-winning butter chicken, kebabs, and signature biryanis. The restaurant is also known for its Bhatti ka Chaap, Barrah Kebab, Koliwada Prawns, Asha’s Sharing Plate, Ghar ki Dal, Ghar ki Sabzi, Fish Biryani, Kesar Biryani and more.Thumb Image Courtesy: Screengrab Youtube/CurlyTales
