Ever thought of taking home a national award, as reputed as the Padma-Shri, for the not-so-appreciated skill of cooking? Well, if in case you did master your culinary skills like the famous chef and the culinary author Tarla Dalal, the dream may not seem far-fetched. Cooking in India is an art every home maker excels in, right from the age where she/he begins with the process of making the magical chai for the guests till the age where it becomes a roz ka kaam to cook the 3-meals-per day for the family. This scenario has prevailed in the Indian kitchens for ages. But from the past few years, cooking is beginning to be considered as a serious job! Let us find out why.

The *Masaale Daar* Beginning

Unlike any other field, it is not hard to find if you actually have an interest in cooking or not. The moment the neighborhood Aunty asks for an extra bowl of Dal (which you cooked last night and made an effort to offer it to her), it is but obvious, ki beta kuchh to baat hai..! Try and explore as much as you can and keep inventing things for yourself. If people around you genuinely appreciate the food you make, if you find pleasure in what you are dishing out, you definitely have a case. So don’t wait – try and turn this interest into a profession! If all else fails, try auditioning for Master Chef and hear it from the Maestros themselves! ;)

S.C.O.P.E

One begins as a subordinate in the beginning and gradually rises to become a Chef. The Chef is the master of the kitchen who has absolute control over the junior staff and oversees the entire proceedings. He divides the work within his team in such a manner that there is seamless integration between raw material handling, basic preparation, final preparation and finally the presentation. Usually, the Chef is assisted by someone called “Sous –chef” who is the second in command: think being a VP to the President