Chapter 1

Perido'...the name itself is enough to make one sigh in pleasure. The famous food critic, Deboshree Datta has rightly said with a Tagorean reference, that if there ever existed a food paradise, it is here...it is here...in Perido.

Launched eight years ago as a small restaurant by the young hot-shot Chef par excellence, Arnav Singh Raizada, or as he is more famously called ASR', Perido has reached a coveted position amongst India's top ten restaurants. This has been possible due to the sheer hard work and perseverance of its dynamic owner. Its popularity and patronage has only grown! Thanks to its heavenly food, where every dish is made with perfection and the chef's magical touch!

Ladies and gentlemen, before we meet the man behind this superb place, let us take a quick look of this gorgeous restaurant and most importantly its Kitchen, where all the magic happens and where the wonderful staff has only one motto, strive for perfection...and nothing else.

CUT' yelled the short, heavily built director of the popular TV show Food Paradiso'. The crew was currently filming at the famous fine dining restaurant in South Mumbai's Nariman point, Perido.

The program was part of the travel & food channel T&F, who were more than excited to do a special on the top ten restaurants in India, out of which Perido was listed at number 4; off course the excitement was also at a hope of getting to sample some of the magnificent stuff, for which the restaurant was famous and finally get the elusive ASR on television!

"Akash, can we take some shots of the kitchen and the staff before the restaurant opens up? I know ASR is busy right now...but it would be best to shoot in these areas now since it will get hectic later" the director asked, as Akash Iyer, the soft-spoken, bespectacled manager of Perido nodded his assent

"Sure, I don't think that should be a problem. Right now everyone will be prepping for the evening service, so things are pretty laid back. Once that's done, we'll do the five minute piece with ASR" Akash said as the director and his pretty assistant frowned, they wanted more than 5 minutes with the famous ASR, but the man was hell bent against any media. It was a miracle that they were even allowed to shoot in his restaurant

"Come this way..."Akash motioned to them, as they walked away from the main area of the aesthetically designed restaurant, which spoke for the high-class clientele it enjoys the patronage of.

Everyone from famous Bollywood celebrities, ministers, sportsmen, businessmen and even international stars had graced the restaurant more than a few times, and all its customers kept coming back for more, thanks to the magic that ASR wove in his dishes

As the party of seven, with the pretty host, two cameramen, the director, his assistant and the light and sound crew headed to the back of the restaurant, a loud voice made them stop, right at the entrance of the kitchen.

Their eyes rounded in astonishment as a tall, well built man in black chef's apron stood shouting at another man who looked like one of the line cooks.

"What the hell do you mean you were experimenting? Do you even know how much this stuff costs?" the man yelled, as everyone shivered at the command and anger in his voice "Even if I cut your salary for the entire year, you won't be able to pay for this, and more than the money it's the principle of things! You are not paid to bloody experiment in my kitchen!" he said as the crew realized this angry young man was indeed, ASR

The cook who was at his receiving end trembled in fear as Arnav took a deep breath trying to calm himself before once again lashing out "You have just thrown away two lobsters and nearly half of my priced black truffles for your bloody experiments, that is not acceptable!" he said in a menacing voice, as the man looked ready to faint any minute "I want you out of my restaurant in the next five minutes, understood!" he said as he turned around to come face to face with the filming crew and his manager Akash

"Uh...ASR...ah...this is the team for T&F...you...ah..." Akash stuttered as Arnav seemed to have calmed down a bit, but his face was still twisted in anger "Get them to my office in ten minutes. And no scripted bullshit! You will shoot what I have to say and nothing else..."he said as he walked swiftly past them to his office, leaving the crew staring at him in horror

"That is ASR? Umm...I think we might not need more than a few minutes...in fact, if required we can even skip it...in case he's not up for it" the director said nervously, wiping the suddenly formed sweat from his brow, as Akash sighed.

***

On the other side of town...way other side...like way way...you get the point!

"I am so sorry Khushi puttar! If only I could help out in some way...don't worry, you'll find another job soon, and if I find something worthy enough, I'll let you know right away " Mr Chadda said as Khushi nodded sadly and packed away her stuff in her handy plastic bag.

She had just been told that the fast food restaurant, where she worked, was taken over by some big Mexican fast-food chain and all the old staff were asked to go since everything was to be automated from now on.

She sighed, as she looked up with sorrowful eyes at Mr Chadda, her ex-boss. She was going to miss this place! It had been three years that she had been working here as the cook...errr...chef and even though  the recipes were standardized and there was no chance of trying out her experiments and show off her culinary talent, she had formed many fond memories here.

She looked fondly at the rest of the staff who worked with her in the kitchen and for whom she would try and cook exotic dishes after work, all thanks to the endless Master chef, Hell's kitchen and in numerous other food related shows she watched religiously!  Her boss, Mr Chadda always encouraged her crazy escapades, as long as she cooked with the ingredients available.

They always told her to get out of here and try her hand at a proper restaurant. But she never had the courage to.

Now it seems she had no choice! She went over and said good byes to all her friends and fellow cooks, before giving a teary hug to Mr Chadda, who had come to mean a lot to her. Whenever she missed her family in Kanpur, she would be welcomed over at Mr Chadda's house by his wife who would cook amazing rajma-chawal or dal makhani for her, in return for the amazing desserts Khushi would whip up to satisfy her sweet tooth

"Take care puttar, and come over whenever you want to ok. You are just like my daughter Jasleen, you know that right?" he said as she nodded and gave him a big hug before quickly leaving with teary eyes. She wandered around the small neighborhood with a heavy heart, while making her way to her usual bus stop.

As she waited patiently for her bus, she felt a sudden bought of melancholy wash over her. She felt very lonely right now and wanted nothing more than to snuggle up in her mother's arms as she stroked her soft hair and whispered soothing words, but they were far away in Kanpur and the last thing she wanted was to worry them with her current job status or lack thereof.

But something else could lift her mood too...Cupcakes! And not just any! Her favorite ones from Le Marchand' in town! Making up her mind she got on to the bus that would take her to the other side of town where the bakery was situated. She desperately needed that dose of her favorite banana cupcake with salted caramel frosting, it was the only way she could feel better again.

As she alighted from the bus nearly an hour and half later, she walked swiftly to the small bakery located at the scenic Nariman point, her sturdy flip-flops and working attire of jeans and a thin t-shirt, made it easier for her to walk the fifteen minutes in the fresher more open atmosphere of old charming Bombay.

She always wished she could live in this part of town when she came to Mumbai five years ago. After all, the best restaurants and bakeries were located here. But rentals here were sky-high and it was next to impossible to even dream of it

She took a deep breath of the salty Arabian sea flowingly languidly around the promenade she was walking along till she finally reached her favorite bakery and her stress reducing magic cup-cake...something she had miraculously discovered a year ago!

She walked in and was greeted by the usual jovial staff, who knew her very well and without delay packed her favorite as per her usual request. This was one indulgence she could not let go, she thought as she fished out 200 rupees. If her family knew she was splashing money on something that costs their one-day ration, they would have flipped out!

She smiled widely as she stepped out into the balmy night and started walking once again along the promenade, taking small bites out of the piece of heaven. She moaned as the sinful creamy caramely goodness trailed over her tongue before the slightly dense banana sponge tickled her taste-buds...ah! Perfection

She was still lost in enjoying her cupcake when she suddenly came to stand in front of Mumbai's best restaurant. Tucked away on the elitist street at Nariman point, Perido stood out as a beautiful stone and glass styled restaurant with fancy cars lining its entrance and fancier people stepping out of them. Oh what she wouldn't give to work in a place like this, she thought as she walked closer to it

As she stood on the side, relishing her cupcake, two men walked out from the back door of the restaurant and lit up a cigarette*. She was fascinated by their pristine white chef's aprons and looked on wistfully as they discussed the menu's and other mundane stuff.

But her interest got piqued when one of them, a well built cute guy with a blue bandana on his head said something which sounded like a new line cook wanted'. She inched closer to them and tried to listen as they laughed about something before the other guy spoke

"You know NK, ASR never gives a second chance and poor Tony was on a burning pyre today" he said as the guy with the bandana, called NK looked up in annoyance "Don't sympathize with him! What he did was wrong man and this stuff is damn expensive." He said as he took a drag and leaned back

"Plus you know how ASR is...the background he comes from. He will never tolerate such wastage. I mean who wastes away half a black truffle!" he said as Khushi's mouth opened up in a big O'

Black truffle? She had only gotten the chance to smell it once when she had visited an exotic food exhibition held at the Taj, forget about touching it! And some moron had wasted it? It would probably cost someone an arm and leg and then some, to buy one!

"So...has Akash said anything about replacing him? We desperately need another line cook. You know how things got pretty hectic today" the other guy said as NK nodded"Hmm...I know...Akash must have already put in a request to the agencies by now" he said as Khushi felt her heart beat accelerate.

There was an opening...in Perido...but...what the hell was she thinking? They would probably need some hoity-toity experienced person...not her! She thought as the last bite of her magnificent cupcake tasted like mud to her.

She sighed and left the place before giving it one last wistful look and made her way back home. Tomorrow would be a new day! So what if she wouldn't get a job here? There were plenty more restaurants around who would need a good chef...and Khushi Gupta was confident she will find a job within 24 hours!

***

"Thanks ASR. I know it wasn't easy for you, I mean, your mood was a bit sour and..."Akash said as Arnav leaned back in his chair "It's ok Akash...I know all this is required, and I don't want the PR guys to once again give me a lecture on how important this is for the restaurant. But sometimes all this gets too much you know" he said as Akash sighed and nodded

"And as for my mood... I don't like firing people, but the way he was talking about it all, so casually, with no remorse for anything! They don't get it! They don't know what I have gone through, for every penny that has made this restaurant what it is today" Arnav said running an agitated hand through his hair

They don't understand the value of things because for them, it's just available. But for me...for me even a bent spoon is a loss..." he said with a sigh as Akash leaned over and kept his hand on Arnav's

"I understand Arnav, and you were right in firing him. He's been too careless many times before. Also   don't worry about the PR guys. I'll only ask you to do what you are comfortable with...speaking of which, Vir Mahajan seemed to love your blackened cod dish! Be prepared for some great reviews tomorrow" he said as Arnav's smiled slightly for a second "All our dishes are good. Those engineered by me or any of the other staff.."he said as Akash smiled and sat back, relaxed again to see his boss and friend back to being normal

"You know I'm flying to Delhi tomorrow early morning right? The architect wants me to come down for the final go ahead on the new restaurant. So call me only if anything urgent comes up. I'll be back by evening and might drop in. NK will take care of tomorrow's specials, I've already discussed everything with him" he said as Akash nodded

"Yes, we'll manage, you don't worry. Just finalize everything tomorrow ASR cause we can't wait for the new restaurant to get up and running soon" Akash said as Arnav smiled slightly "I will, but the final say will be after Di has given her ok...you know that" Arnav said as Akash smiled got up to leave

"Also look into finding a replacement for the cook soon...things got a bit hectic today with one guy less" Arnav said as Akash nodded "Yep, I'm already on it. I'll inform the agency tomorrow...Good night" he said as Arnav nodded and got back to his laptop...the man never stopped working! Akash thought, shaking his head, as he made his way out.