Growing up in India, I was surrounded by people who cared greatly about food and cooking. My grandad was a baker and my dad started a catering business, so you could say that cooking is in my blood. In Indian families boys are usually pampered but my family was different – I was helping with the cooking and cleaning from a young age.
I have fond memories of spreading out sheets and old newspapers on the foor (our way of laying the table), bringing the food out and everyone gathering round to eat. I even found fun in washing-up. My sister and I would be up until midnight singing, washing dishes and keeping the neighbours awake!