‘As I go along, I change each recipe into my own story’ Says Nayantara Menon Bagla

NT Features

Nayantara Menon Bagla is a chef and partner at The Circus Canteen, Bangalore Creative Circus.

What’s the good thing about being a chef?
Instant validation. Jokes apart, for me it has always been about bringing smiles on people’s faces and there truly is no love greater than the love for good food. So the fact that I get to do that and push boundaries makes it a great profession.

Why did you want to become a chef?
Food is the centre of my existence, I knew I wanted to be a chef from the age of 10. And that’s where I took myself. At this point in time I view being a chef as a great tool to be a driver of change and bring happiness to people!

Do you follow recipes or create your own dishes?
A mix of both. One often starts with another recipe as a point of reference but as I go along I change it into my own story. In the age of the internet, there is very little invention, everything exists out there – the secret lies in making it personal.

What are the easiest and the hardest ingredients to cook with?
The easiest ingredient to cook with is Garlic. The hardest ingredient to cook with is Shellfish.

What’s your favorite food and why do you like it?
My favorite food – that is a terrible question to ask a chef – but at the moment it’s Korean food– a beautiful Bibimbap can make my day! It’s an acquired taste, it’s a balanced meal and it’s downright delicious. Though I rarely eat out, I have been eating the same food for almost a year now.

If you could give our readers one piece of advice, what would that be?
Learn how to cook – it is a life skill that ALL humans should have. Spend your life creating a positive relationship with your food – you have only one body and food is the basic source of energy and fuel. Be kind to yourself and treat your physical and mental being as a temple.

What are the healthiest things to eat?
A balanced meal should have fibers, proteins, good fats, and carbohydrates. So a great plate would look like – roasted vegetables, salad greens, chicken/fish, or plantbased protein like legumes, nuts, seeds, red rice, sweet potato, or millets. Eat your carbs! They are fuel for your brain!

Do you get a chance to eat what you cook?
Yes I do. Nothing goes on my menu that I personally cannot eat bowls and bowls of. But once a menu is set and I am in operations I prefer to only taste and not actually eat.