Spirit W | "Cooking can be therapeutic" says Chef, Shipra Khanna

The varied experiences and instances in our life can change our perceptions, giving it a totally new meaning while making it fulfilling and enjoyable in the process.  It was no different for well known Chef Shipra Khanna whose roller coaster life finally took a turn for the better leading to a meaningful journey post her appearance on  Masterchef India 2. Today she is a Restaurateur, Chef, Consultant, Author and an Anchor for television shows.

In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, Shipra Khanna talked about her life, career and her new show Pure Sin on channel Food Food. She is the winner of Master Chef India season 2 and today people know her as a renowned Chef. We asked her to share with us the 3 things about this space that made her choose this as her profession. "Firstly, it’s my passion for food. Secondly, food like any art form or science is about constant evolution so one is never bored. And third, the emerging opportunity as a profession, which was restricted to kitchens ten years back. Today there is more to it, travelling, exploring, experiencing, experimenting and sharing the same," shared Shipra.

Post her win as Master Chef India 2, different avenues opened up for Shipra and there has been no looking back since then in her career. Speaking about the events in her career that has led her to the position she is in, in the industry today she said," I am very easily bored or distracted. Dancing was a passion which I could not pursue. Cooking is an art form. Any art form keeps you focused and time flies by. Art is like meditation. Post my win, I went to Paris to get trained, learn different techniques that brought finesse to my cooking; attended food festivals in India and the world over; released my first book, plus anchored a couple of food shows and with Pure Sin, a show on Desserts I will be working with FOOD FOOD channel for the first time."

She loves travelling and for her learning never stops. In her opinion being in any profession is a learning process and the same applies with chefs too." I have learnt a lot from both Indian and international chefs and it gives me great pleasure to reinvent what I have learnt and share with the viewers," she shared with regard to her experience.

Shipra will soon be seen anchoring the new show 'Pure Sin' on channel FOODFOOD. We asked her to brief us on the same and share with us the events that led her to be a part of it."Love and Passion is something I believe in. Desserts are an important part of eating well and eating healthy. They inspire you to throw out all the rules—eat with moderation, save the best for the last. They compliment love and passion, the two things I believe in. When Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor spoke with me about Pure Sin, the idea, the concept appealed to me and I instantly agreed," she briefed.

Her new show Pure Sin will take us through a tingling journey of delicious, yummy desserts that give in to sugary bliss, no matter what time of the day!
Commenting on the different trends in the culinary arts she has  observed in her domain in India she said , "Tastes are changing fast and India has far more to offer to the world of cuisine, than any other nation. Dessert is a purely a cultural phenomenon, that existed from middle ages, but today it’s very structured and has become part of our popular cuisine."

Today the industry is expanding right from restaurants, take-away joints to snack bars. On asking how competitive it is for Chefs today, she avers, "Innovative food concepts are all in the competitive space, yet there’s room for all."

For Shipra every woman is a leader, a winner in her arena. Women, in any sphere of life are an inspiration. In her view do women have an edge over men in the space she is in today?  Sharing her take on this she answered, "I believe men have developed the technique, discipline and passion that make cooking an art, and challenging too. In India we have well known chefs like the late Tarla Dalal, the dynamic first lady of Indian cooking! Female chefs, like in any other professions, are very much on par with their male counterparts. However, there’s no taking away the magnificent achievements of stalwarts like Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor (An internationally renowned name) Chef Vikas Khanna, Chef Harpal…and many more."

Shipra sees herself sharing her craft across the continent five years down the line. "Though I am focused, I love exploring and traveling, which will only add to my learning, knowing and understanding cuisines the world over. For me the sky is the limit!" said Shipra enthusiastically.

So, how excited is she about her upcoming show?   She answered cheerfully," Dessert making is truly an adventure in culinary evolution and I am confident our viewers will simply love & enjoy them. Stay tuned, it’s every Friday, at 7.00 pm and it’s truly magical!"