Chef Sachin Chopra of All Spice Talks About Celebrating Diwali
For Chef-Proprietor Sachin Chopra of All Spice in San Mateo, the celebration of Diwali always has had a special place in his heart.
After all, the joyous Festival of Lights, which starts on Oct. 26, is not only one of the most important Hindu holidays, but also marks the New Year.
It’s a time for gathering with family and friends. It’s a time to illuminate the house with candles. It’s also a major time for sweets.
As champagne is poured to signify important celebrations, sweets play a similar role in Sachin’s native India. They are readily offered to visitors in a warm gesture of welcome.
The chef, who specializes in California cuisine with Indian and global influences, likes to create modern takes on Indian desserts at his year-old restaurant.
His chocolate kulfi, rich as ganache and adorned with glam silver leaf, is already the most popular dessert on the menu.
He also makes sandesh, extremely sweet fluffy balls of fresh cheese decorated with saffron threads and accompanied by fruit compote.
Learn more about how this talented chef celebrates this meaningful holiday, as well as find the recipe for chocolate kulfi, in my story in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle Food section.
Winner of the Previous Contest: In last week’s Food Gal contest, I asked you to tell me what’s Greek to you. In other words, to name something you find incomprehensible. The winner will receive a signed copy of the new cookbook, “Kokkari: Contemporary Greek Flavors” (Chronicle Books).
Congrats to:
Jenny, who wrote, “What I find incomprehensible are all the American fad diets. I’m American and it still drives me crazy. Why can’t we just be like the rest of the world and enjoy great food in moderation?”
More: My Dinner at All Spice
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Monday, 24. October 2011 7:22
Reading this beautiful post is a dejavu as we have been preparing kulfi as well as a few desserts with raspberries, strawberries and blueberries!
Monday, 24. October 2011 8:32
I loved the kulfi when we went there last time. It’s great to see it showcased for the holiday.
Monday, 24. October 2011 9:32
I didn’t even know that kulfi could be made with chocolate. I love that I learn something new every time I read your blog.
Monday, 24. October 2011 11:23
Looks like a master at work. Love the sound of that kulfi!
Monday, 24. October 2011 11:37
Kelly: Chocolate is not a traditional flavor for kulfi. But Chef Sachin likes to push the envelope. His chocolate kulfi also has a smidge of Ovaltine in it to give it wonderful nuttiness.
Monday, 24. October 2011 12:15
Oh Carolyn, this is very nice…love the desserts and how he presented. Beautiful!
Hope you have a great week and thanks for this nice post
Monday, 24. October 2011 18:44
I want a chef jacket just like his! Wow.
Very interesting food. Funny, I made a chocolate kulfi yesterday!
Monday, 24. October 2011 19:34
Zenchef: Actually, that’s not a chef’s jacket. Chef Sachin is wearing a formal Indian-style tunic, the type that one would wear for fancy occasions such as attending a wedding. At the restaurant, he still dons the usual chef’s whites.
Monday, 24. October 2011 23:57
My gosh…the kulfi looks amazing. Definitely would want to try it out some day!
x
Tuesday, 25. October 2011 1:19
I love Indian desserts. I know a lot of people say that they’re very sweet or too sweet for them but not me!
Tuesday, 25. October 2011 3:20
Oh my. This is Indian fusion food at its finest!
Thursday, 29. December 2011 5:27
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