Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveShreyovi Mehta: The 9-year-old wins big at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award

Shreyovi Mehta: The 9-year-old wins big at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(September 15, 2024) When 9-year-old Shreyovi Mehta decided to go on a morning stroll with her parents in the forests of Keoladev National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, little did she know that she was about to capture one of the most stunning photos that would earn her a runner-up title at the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Armed with her telephoto lens, she marched into the national park and found her perfect shot in two peahens standing opposite each other during a misty winter morning.

Shreyovi Mehta

The captivating photograph, titled In the Spotlight, got her a place in the Under 10 Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year category, organised by the Natural History Museum in London. The photo of the peahens surrounded by a tunnel of vegetation against a peachy dawn sky was selected from over 59,000 entries from 117 countries. “My heart is filled with immense joy and gratitude,” Shreyovi wrote on her Instagram. The youngster, who calls the moment unbelievable, is proud to represent Bharat on the global stage. “India’s rich wildlife and heritage has been a source of endless inspiration, and I promise to keep working hard to bring more of it to you,” she added.

The Grade 5 student at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad was in London last year when her mother bought her a ticket to visit the Natural History Museum. Sharing the trivia, she said, “Last year mom bought a ticket to take me here. Little did I know that this year I would be invited by @nhm_wpy to share the stage with the best in the field of #wildlifephotography Super excited to learn from the images that will be showcased at Wildlife Photographer of the Year in October 2024.”

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The BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, often dubbed the “Oscars of Wildlife Photography,” draws more than 50,000 entries from 95 countries globally. Shreyovi’s accomplishment not only showcases her remarkable talent but also brings immense pride to India, as she becomes the youngest Indian to receive this prestigious honor.

Taking inspiration from dad

It was her seasoned photographer father Shivang Mehta who inspired a very young Shreyvoi to pick up the camera. From a young age, she started accompanying her dad and found her passion in photography. In a short span, she developed a keen eye for detail and perfect timing which helped her capture the shot. When she saw the two peahens, she instantly recognised the potential of a great shot and soon ran to her father to grab her camera and take the perfect shot from a low angle.

“In this selection, you see species diversity, a range of behavior, and conservation issues. These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world – the beauty and the challenges,” Kathy Moran, chair of the judging panel, said in a statement.

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Shreyovi Mehta calls her parents the wind beneath her wings who have always encouraged her to follow her dreams. “Even when they seemed too big for a kid like me. Your love and encouragement have been my greatest strength.”

Future plan

It is on October 8 that her photo will be exhibited at the Natural History Museum’s prestigious exhibition, along with the work of the world’s top wildlife photographers. “This is just the beginning! I will keep learning, improving, and striving to do even better. The journey continues, and I’m excited for what’s next! That’s Shreyovi’s promise.”

After capturing India’s national bird through her lens, she now aims to put the tiger – India’s national animal – in the spotlight where it can be recognised on a platform as big as the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. “I will continue to practice so that one day even our national animal – the tiger gets the same recognition,” she said.

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Shreyovi’s journey as a young wildlife photographer is nothing short of inspiring. At just 10 years old, she has already etched her name among the world’s most talented photographers, with her breathtaking image of peahens captivating a global audience. Her deep connection to India’s wildlife, nurtured by her father’s guidance and her own passion for photography, promises a bright future. This is only the beginning for Shreyovi, whose talent and drive will undoubtedly continue to make waves in the world of wildlife photography.

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Published on 15, Sep 2024

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Music for Nature: Anuv Jain teams up with UN for its ‘Sound Right’ campaign

(May 5, 2024) Ludhiana boy Anuv Jain recently shared one of his latest pictures from New York, standing proudly in front of a billboard showcasing him. “NATURE (music album) is out now on all streaming platforms. I'm thrilled to contribute to the global campaign, ‘Sounds Right’, by United Nations Live! Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this movement. A significant portion of the royalties from this track will support environmental conservation charities,” shared the singer, songwriter and composer. His track Baarishein, featuring the sounds of Indian rains is part of the UN Live album. [caption id="attachment_37591" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Anuv Jain[/caption] The Museum for the United Nations — UN Live, based in Copenhagen, launched its global music initiative, ‘Sounds Right,’ on April 18 this year, just ahead of Earth Day (April 22). The initiative aims to highlight the importance of nature, raise funds for conservation efforts, and inspire millions of music lovers to take action. The ‘Sound Right’ album Nature features a diverse cast of global artists including Anuv Jain, David Bowie x Brian Eno, Ellie Goulding, AURORA, UMI with V of BTS, MØ, London Grammar, Bomba Estéreo, Cosmo Sheldrake, Louis VI, Tom Walker, Aterciopelados, Blinky Bill,

ril 22). The initiative aims to highlight the importance of nature, raise funds for conservation efforts, and inspire millions of music lovers to take action. The ‘Sound Right’ album Nature features a diverse cast of global artists including Anuv Jain, David Bowie x Brian Eno, Ellie Goulding, AURORA, UMI with V of BTS, MØ, London Grammar, Bomba Estéreo, Cosmo Sheldrake, Louis VI, Tom Walker, Aterciopelados, Blinky Bill, Navicula x Endah N Rhesa, and Los Amigos Invisibles.

Available on major streaming platforms, the album has timeless compositions with ocean waves, wind, rainstorms, and birdsongs as prominent features of the background music.

Sounds Right

The website of the Museum for the United Nations-UN Live describes itself as an organization without borders that ignites global empathy, action, and transformation through the influence of popular culture and dialogue.

“By simply listening to music that features sounds of the natural world, fans will help to fund nature conservation and restoration projects in our most precious and precarious ecosystems,” stated a UN press release about the museum’s initiative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXW_Wa-aAAs

The United Nations further highlighted that the ‘Sounds Right’ initiative “comes at a critical time when wildlife populations have declined by an average 69% in the past 50 years and at least 1.2 million plant and animal species are estimated to be at threat of extinction.” The initiative “looks to flip our extractive relationship with the natural world on its head while recognizing nature’s contribution to the creative industries.”

For the nature-loving musician Anuv, being selected for such a prestigious project was one of the most exciting opportunities of his career. All the artists chosen for the album were selected on the basis of how they have intertwined nature with their music throughout their musical journeys.

Inspired by nature

“A lot of my music is inspired by what’s around me; the sky, the rain, the trees,” Anuv remarked in an interview. Some of his “best work highlights nature as a metaphor to describe beauty.” The independent artist is popular for his acoustic melodies and compositions like Baarishein, Gul, and Alag Aasmaan among others. He expressed excitement about being part of an initiative that would help him to contribute to something that has given him so much – not just music but life itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKwRW2y-sg

Life around music

Anuv's earliest memories of making music dates back to his 10th-grade year when he began playing the guitar and also started songwriting.

“I used to write these really emotional English songs. Eventually, my guitar teacher suggested that I should try writing in Hindi and that’s when I made that switch. I’m so glad I got that suggestion because I realized I was pretty good at it,” he shared adding “The lyrics come from all my personal experiences and the stories that I’ve seen unfold in front of me. I take inspiration from my experiences and turn them into a song.”

[caption id="attachment_37594" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Anuv Jain in one of his packed live performances[/caption]

With time the artist polished his skills and ‘started becoming a better songwriter taking up more complicated themes and stories’. “I’ve been able to fit it into this economy of words, which is a song. I also feel like I’ve become better as a performing artist — I used to get really nervous initially, but now I am much more confident whenever I’m on stage and I enjoy it a lot more than I ever have before,” shared the singer-songwriter who has several single albums to his credit. He loves to perform at live shows to connect with people and has a large fan following on social media.

Follow Anuv Jain on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

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It’s a homerun: Indian American player, Arjun Nimmala is creating waves in the world of baseball

(July 8, 2023) Baseball is the one sport in the USA that unites communities, ignites passions and instills a love for sport that lasts a lifetime. Entering this competitive world of baseball is an Indian American teenager, Arjun Nimmala - who is possibly the first Indian-origin player to be a part of the MLB draft class which is set to take place in Seattle between July 9 and 11. A former cricket player, and a recent graduate from Strawberry Crest High School in the delightful outskirts of Tampa, the seventeen-year-old sensation has secured his ticket to the hallowed halls of Florida State University come autumn. But that's not all. The youngster is currently under the tutelage of none other than New York Mets' shortstop extraordinaire, Francisco Lindor, who also happens to be Arjun's favourite player. Interestingly, the Global Indian's “capabilities at the shortstop position lead many to draw comparisons to Minnesota Twins shortstop and former Rookie of the Year, Carlos Correa.” Hitting it out of the park As a young lad growing up in Valrico, Florida, Arjun and his family embarked on journeys to their home in Vijayawada, India. During these sojourns, the player would engage in spirited matches of

ar, Carlos Correa.”

Hitting it out of the park

As a young lad growing up in Valrico, Florida, Arjun and his family embarked on journeys to their home in Vijayawada, India. During these sojourns, the player would engage in spirited matches of cricket with his cousins and friends. While he displayed prowess as a batsman, his bowling skills proved less than stellar. Nonetheless, cricket became an integral part of his life, a pastime he cherished deeply.

"I'm horrible, I don't get the form right. I'm just a hitter," the young player said during an interview, adding, "I also played a little bit of soccer and basketball, and those are both really fun sports for me." When pondering if his talent could reach the heights of a Division I athlete in cricket, he hesitated momentarily before nodding affirmatively. "If I really practiced to the point that the others did, I think I would've been pretty good at cricket," he said.

But fate had something else in store for him. As he stepped into the hallowed halls of high school in 2019, Nimmala bid adieu to cricket, along with soccer and basketball, setting his sights firmly on the diamond, where baseball beckoned with irresistible allure. "Basketball was quite competitive, and decided to continue with the game because I was quite passionate about it."

Swinging for the fences

Eventually, the player's batting practices became incredibly impressive, with scouts projecting anywhere from 25 to 35 homers annually from his raw power. He also proved to be an extremely valuable asset for his school team, winning several matches for them. "I realised I was pretty good at baseball at the age of 12-13. Some of those skills started to pop out. And from then I was like, ‘Oh, I'm going to go play college baseball'," the player said.

When it comes to defense, Arjun shines brightly at shortstop, showcasing remarkable skills that have garnered praise. On the offensive front, the young player possesses a treasure trove of attributes crucial for projecting him as a consistent hitter. His hitting mechanics, impressive bat speed, nimble hands, and astute game intelligence all hint at the potential to excel in hitting for average. Yet, in his encounters against top-tier opponents, his in-game performances have fallen into the category of good rather than truly exceptional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwMT3hHqqo

Speaking about his latest achievement of joining the MLB, the young player said, "It was always a dream of mine to play Major League Baseball ever since I knew what the MLB was. It's a dream come true. I hope I play well enough for them to really watch me, like how Japan stopped and watched Shohei Ohtani in the WBC. I hope they pay attention, that'd be so cool. I just want them to watch and be proud of what we Indians can do," the player shared.

Follow Arjun Nimmala on Instagram and Twitter

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Sridevi Krothapalli: Indian-American teen brings joy to hospital kids through art magazine

(August 11, 2023) Kahani, which translates to storytelling, has found its place in hospitals in Chicago and other parts of the US. A digital arts and literary magazine that's distributed to children's hospitals for kindergarten to middle-school-age patients is the brainchild of Sridevi Krothapalli who turned her passion for art into a project. Growing up, she was drawn to watercolours and would end up making art that comforted her. Over the years, her interest expanded into the realm of digital art and drawing, and in 2020, she turned his love into a student-led nonprofit Kahani. Three years into it, the 17-year-old made it to Teen Vogue's annual 21 Under 21 list of changemakers, influencers, activists, and artists who are making an impact. [caption id="attachment_32493" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Sridevi Krothapalli[/caption] "My mission with Kahani includes helping distribute art and literary magazines for kids in hospitals across the USA to inspire creativity," she said in an interview. The 17-year-old senior at Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA), who aspires to make a career in advocacy and healthcare, has always been keen to give back to the community and "help make an impact." The digital magazine with its vibrant artwork, engaging stories, and playful

The digital magazine with its vibrant artwork, engaging stories, and playful poems, aims to ignite creativity among children during their hospital stay.

"So, they can experience outside of the hospital that gives them the opportunity to engage with this art because that’s what it’s all about. Getting children to play their own role and honestly interpret it anywhere they are," she added. For this Indian American teen, who originally hails from Telangana, kindness, and love have served as guiding influences, encouraging her to speak from the heart and inspire positive transformation.

In these years, Kahani has been distributed in hospitals across the US including Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and Children’s of Mississippi in Jackson. The staff and parents permit patients to access the magazine through tablets, digital devices, as well as in-house closed-circuit televisions, and websites. The influence of Kahani at Riley Hospital for Children was recently highlighted by an Indiana CBS affiliate station. A hospital spokesperson remarked that the magazine serves as a wonderful illustration of children receiving support from individuals who may be strangers to them. Such literary and artistic content helps create an opportunity for normalisation in the hospital.

Published twice a year, the magazine consists of 20 pages that encompass a diverse array of artistic expressions including poetry, short stories, paintings, and photography. Accompanying the artwork are descriptive captions, and within each edition, there are thought-provoking journaling prompts. "We try to make it as artistically compelling as possible — the most fun things that we can think of and mostly interesting things that you'd see in a nature book. But instead, it's made by students not so far away," she told Chicago Tribune.

Witnessing many individuals in her family and community facing illnesses that required them to visit nearby children's hospitals prompted her to develop a form of creative arts therapy and an initiative tailored to their benefit. Recognising the scarcity of resources crafted by students specifically for this hospital-bound population, she aimed to establish a student-driven endeavour — a collective effort where all the donated creations are the result of students' artistic endeavours.

The teenager, who is an active member of IMSA's arts and literary magazine, Heliotrope, produces Kahani with the help of half a dozen people that include her family, friends, and IMSA students. She serves as a designer, artist, and writer, and also oversees outreach and promotion.

Along with her passion for art, she is a physics pro who wants to make scientific discoveries that would make a difference in the world. Moreover, she was selected to attend the Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics. "By applying coding skills to physics-based projects in environmental engineering and tutoring other students in physics-oriented topics in my community, I realized my ambition to break the gender gap in the field of physics and mathematics," she told Teen Vogue.

When she is not studying algorithms or working on Kahani, Sridevi loves playing tennis or indulges in filmmaking. Moreover, she holds the position of Regional Board President for the nonprofit organization International Youth Tobacco Control in Illinois wherein she coordinates educational events, establishes connections with fellow tobacco control organisations in the state, and designs informative infographics and digital posters addressing tobacco usage for school districts across the region. "Everything that I do falls under the umbrella of what I'm interested in — the umbrella of public health crises that affect kids' well-being."

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2022 Recap: Meet the young sports stars who brought up India’s medal tally

(December 28, 2022) It has been a year of sports for India. From our young guns' marvellous performance at the Commonwealth Games to sports stars like Nikhat Zareen, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Neeraj Chopra, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa securing gold at the individual world tournaments - India established itself as a global force in 2022. With these champions at the helm, the future of Indian sports does look good. Global Indian takes a look at some glorious podium finishers, who have proved India's mettle in the world of sports this year. Nikhat Zareen, boxer [caption id="attachment_24916" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen receiving the Arjuna Award from President Murmu[/caption] 2022 proved to be a golden year for Indian boxer, Nikhat Zareen. The sports champion, who started her journey as the only girl in Nizamabad’s boxing academy, won several gold medals in various international boxing championships held this year, including the Commonwealth Games, IBA Women’s World Championship, and Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament. And on November 30, the pint-sized boxer was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. “It’s an absolute honour to be conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi

ad’s boxing academy, won several gold medals in various international boxing championships held this year, including the Commonwealth Games, IBA Women’s World Championship, and Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament. And on November 30, the pint-sized boxer was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. “It’s an absolute honour to be conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Gratitude to the Almighty for guiding me on my journey and to all those who shared it with me. Onwards and upwards!” the champion tweeted after receiving the Arjuna Award.

Currently, at the national camp taking place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the flyweight boxer is training hard to claim many more medals for the country. “I took a short leave to visit my family in Nizamabad after winning the World Championship. But I am back at the training camp now. My next aim is the 2024 Paris Olympics. I dream of winning gold there for my nation,” Nikhat said.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, chess grandmaster

17-year-old chess grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who has conquered the world in the war of checkmates, has been conferred the Arjuna Award in 2022. In 2016, Praggnanandhaa (meaning ‘delight of the intellect’) became the youngest international master in history, at the age of 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days. The coveted ‘Grandmaster’ title that he earned later at the age of 12 made him the fifth youngest person ever to do so. Fondly called ‘Pragg’, the prodigy defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen three times in a row in 2022, thus becoming a household name.

[caption id="attachment_24781" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Praggnanandha with his mother and female grandmaster sister, Vaishali Rameshbabu[/caption]

The grandmaster began traveling abroad for tournaments at the tender age of seven. “I have lost count,” the champion said, pausing to think about it. “I have probably visited 30 countries.” No matter where he goes, his focus remains unwavering, concentrating on one thing only – the game that he is there to play.

Akhil Rabindra, racing driver

Fascinated by cars since a very young age, racer Akhil Rabindra went from enjoying recreational go-karting on weekends to becoming the first Asian to be selected by the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy. In fact, the champion kicked off its 2020 season with the French FFSA GT4 Championship, one of Europe’s strongest GT National Championships.

[caption id="attachment_25902" align="aligncenter" width="686"] Akhil Rabindra, racing driver[/caption]

“The Aston Martin Racing Academy was a big achievement,” shares the Indian racer, adding, “They help in many different fronts such as physical and mental training, the technique of driving, and a lot of on and off stuff. They are not just focused on the driving part but it is a holistic approach to teaching. It is also the network as you get to interact with drivers who would help you out in different situations. They help tap into different forms of support with ease," he said.

The champion, who recently won the Driver's Championship which recently concluded in Hyderabad Street Circuit, also secured a double podium finish in the season opener with his new team, Racing Spirit of Leman, at the European GT4 Championship.

Aadil Bedi, golfer

He might be only 21, but golfer Aadil Bedi has already made a name for himself in the world of sports. The champion, who was recently crowned winner of the inaugural Ballantine's Golf Championship – Mixed Pro Challenge, picked up a golf stick for the first time when he was just four years old. “From that moment on, I was hooked,” shared the young champion.

[caption id="attachment_18777" align="aligncenter" width="681"] Aadil Bedi, golfer[/caption]

Inspired by his father, Aadil took part in numerous golf championships from a young age and in 2018, became the youngest player to represent India in golf at the Asian Games. Training hard to win as many international tournaments, the young golfer wishes to bring home several coveted trophies. "There were no matches in the last two years. I am preparing very hard to win as many titles as possible. I am a part of tournaments in Indonesia, Singapore, and Korea, taking place later this year. There is an event in Australia as well. Frankly, I will be playing about 10-12 tournaments in the coming year. I am very excited to represent India internationally," the champion said.

Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, tennis player

Crowned as the national hardcourt tennis champion (women’s singles), Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty was only 11 when she first held a tennis racket in her hand. Calling herself an “accidental” tennis player, Shrivalli was introduced to the game at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad. Recording twin victories as the champion entered the singles quarterfinals and doubles semi-finals of the Balaji Amines Solapur Open Women’s ITF $25K Tennis Tournament, she is passionate and focussed. "I think all players feel nervous before a match. I do too. But I am confident that I can play against, and defeat, any player,” shared the youngster.

[caption id="attachment_25696" align="aligncenter" width="671"] Shrivalli Rashmikaa, tennis player[/caption]

The champion dreams of representing India at the Olympics and works at her aspirations without compromise. Her day begins at 4.15 am and training continues for between five and six hours a day. And along the way, she hopes to win as many cups as she can for her country. “I will be participating in several upcoming national and international tournaments. But a dream come true will be representing India at the Olympics and winning gold for the country,” shared the tennis star.

Reading Time: 7 mins

Kitchen Confidential: Chef Neel Kajale’s journey from Mumbai to New York

(February 18, 2022) As he stood before the chopping board at New York City's famed Eleven Madison Park, all set to start cutting, Chef Neel Kajale found himself face to face with an angry sous chef. "I simply couldn't understand why he was upset," he said. Neel was even more mystified when the sous chef then adjusted the cutting board. "He told me that everything has to be perpendicular and parallel. My cutting board was not in line with my workstation. I was at Eleven Madison Park. Everything had to be perfect," said Chef Neel explained. When you're working with the world's most celebrated chefs, every detail needs to be perfect. The Michelin experience By the age of 25, Chef Neel Kajale has done quite the tour of world-famous, Michelin-Starred restaurants and their chefs. After graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management, he worked with Chef Atul Kochhar, of Benaras fame, joining the team as they began NRI in Mumbai. He has also worked at The Bombay Canteen and Farzi Cafe before setting off to study at the Culinary Institute of America in New York City, where Eleven Madison Park would come calling. Today, he has moved away from the high-glamour, high-stress restaurant life and works

helin-Starred restaurants and their chefs. After graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management, he worked with Chef Atul Kochhar, of Benaras fame, joining the team as they began NRI in Mumbai. He has also worked at The Bombay Canteen and Farzi Cafe before setting off to study at the Culinary Institute of America in New York City, where Eleven Madison Park would come calling. Today, he has moved away from the high-glamour, high-stress restaurant life and works at a test kitchen, creating content and exploring a space that to him, feels like home.

[caption id="attachment_11024" align="aligncenter" width="651"] Chef Neel Kajale[/caption]

When food is what you aspire for

At 13, the Mumbaikar knew he wanted to be a chef. He loved food, disliked maths, so the choice was simple. “There was no point in struggling with something I had no talent for. What I did have, however, was a passion for food,” recalls Neel. Encouraged by his parents, he leaped headlong. “I had no backup plans. It was a do-or-die situation for me,” adds the 25-year-old.

MasterChef piqued his interest, and he was hooked. “As an Indian, it was a revelation to see what could be done with food. Here, we didn’t think about plating food or about Michelin stars. I wanted to know what is happening in the world of food,” explains Neel who was blown away by the culinary revolutions in France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

New York Minute

In June 2021, Eleven Madison Park re-opened its doors to guests - even on opening night (after the pandemic), the three Michelin-starred restaurants had a waiting list of around 15,000. And Neel was at the heart of plating, cooking and more. Celebrities streamed in - Angelina Jolie, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chipotle founder Steve Ells, etc. For Kajale, however, accustomed as he was to celeb-spotting, Angelina Jolie was a revelation. “You feel good because they’re so mesmerized by what you’re doing,” he recalls, adding, “Rightly so because the food is phenomenal but it’s so stressful that after a point, you start saying, it’s just food, not rocket science.”

Plating up aging beets and mustard leaf kimchi, or learning a thing or two about chef-owner Daniel Humm’s famed dry-aged duck breast – it’s the sort of experience any young chef cherishes. Neel was no exception – with a combination of talent, dedication, and unshakeable grit. “You need to bring your A-game every day. If you want to excel at anything, you need to give it everything. The standards and expectations are so high,” he explains.

When a test kitchen turned food into learning

His days of exploring the fine dining experience, of plating herbs with tweezers are behind him for now. Except for the tweezers, which he carries around. “Since there were so many guest walk-ins at Eleven Madison, we couldn’t really do things with our hands. So, we used tweezers. Now - instead of plating herbs, I’m flipping phulkas at home!” smiles the chef who is reinventing his culinary repertoire.

[caption id="attachment_11018" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Chef Neel's journey took him from Mumbai to Manhattan as he worked with some of the world's best chefs[/caption]

Today, Neel yearns for innovation, to find a bridge between food and media that India - and the world, haven’t seen before with his painstaking work at the test kitchen. Think Chef Sanjyot Keer, of Your Food Lab, or global superstars like Babish and Joshua Weissman. After decades of watching the most glamorous chefs plate up gourmet meals, Neel has found his calling at Haven’s Kitchen as test kitchen manager (New York). Diving deep into recipe development and content creation, his days are filled with ingredient-spotting and taste trails. These are then filmed to be shared with epicureans across platforms.

“If a tomato soup is trending on a rainy day, my job would be to use our sauces to make that soup. It’s a very different life from running a station and handling pressure. Here, you’re perfecting one thing, time and time again,” he adds. Not an easy job but one that has, as Neel puts it, brought him closer to food.

A few of his favourite things

Ask him what he truly loves to cook, pat comes the reply, “home food.” For Chef Neel, it’s the food that nourishes him. The welcome sound of a fragrant curry leaf popping in hot oil is his all-time best aroma. “It's so special to Indian cooking. It’s something I absolutely love,” says Neel.

“What do I cook for myself? A dal chawal or roti sabzi.” His kitchen at his New York home is stocked with Indian ingredients and his mother, does, on occasion receive a call with a request, “How do you make your dal?” Not the restaurant-style dal tadka but “mum’s simple moong dal” is unmatched.
The young Indian chef is a music enthusiast and often strums the guitar. High on fitness and sports, a game of tennis is a welcome break, or it's travel and good wine.

Follow Chef Neel Kajale on Instagram
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