Non-culinary Expertise

She is known as Annapurna in the kingly palace of Jaipur. Her culinary skill is appreciated by the eminent personalities who have been invited for Lunch or dinner in the palace. She is 30 years old, mother of two children and has been working in the king’s kitchen for last 12 years. She still remembers how her first dish panchmel ki sabzi has won heart of the royal family and is still in demand when royal guests arrive. Today none can beat the magic she creates in Rajasthani cuisine through her various experiments in dishes

In the palace there are several local and international chefs who are chosen after testing their love for food. She is a boss of them though she hasn’t gone for any training, and doesn’t have any degree. Her dal-bati churma, papad mangodi ki sabzi, gatte ki sabzi, kersangria, bharwa lauki, pakoda khadi, various kinds of missi roties and kachoris, malai ghevar, gaund ka ladoo , variety of launjies and pickles are in everyone’s memory who have tasted. She is rewarded with cash prizes many a times and her name is mentioned whenever there is a gala party, wedding and birthday ceremonies in the palace.

Her popularity is spreading like fragrance and one day a reporter decides to interview her at her home. On regular days her arrival time to the palace is 6am and she leaves at 8pm after preparing dinner. The reporter decides to join her at her home in the evening. She stays in Lalpura village which is approximately 32 km away from Jaipur. She travels by local bus and after an hour long journey registers her presence in the palace. There are about 481 houses in the village and people are friendly. The reporter is astonished to see that a star cook of the palace has a mud house having thatched roof. The walls are covered with mud, cow dung and hay. There is an earthen oven and her children are happy that mother will cook dinner for them. While cooking she requests the reporter to ask questions.

The reporter has prepared many questions but at present he is confused what to ask as his questions are related with her success story but in the village nobody knows how famous she is as a cook even at her home she has prepared for dinner bajara roti which she has served with chutney. He asks her children if they know about their mother’s job. They reply that she goes to Jaipur town and runs household expenses. Their father is a poor folk artist and so mother provides financial stability. One of them all of a sudden asks, “Ma, why haven’t you learnt some cooking skill? Daily you prepare such a simple meal.” She looks at the reporter with teary eyes. The reporter realizes only fame and appreciation are not enough unless these can fetch wealth. Her efforts are not converted into desired money and so she is forced to hide her specialty from family and is unable to provide a decent meal to the children. Her salary is spent on daily expenses and little saving for her daughter’s marriage. Her husband knows how popular she is because of her passion for cooking but can’t express his joy as her popularity is in the field of culinary skill which she cannot exhibit at home due to financial crunch.