With 20+ years of experience in the world of culinary, Chef Mrs Reetu Uday Kugaji is proud to be a Chef and a Mentor. She has a long line of achievements and acolade she gathered over the years.
With a belief she holds close to her heart “As chefs, bloggers and mentor we owe to the generations coming to create an awareness and follow Sustainable Cooking , Zero-Waste Recipes and to bring back the lost recipes of India.”
Women Fitness brings in a Special feature on International Women’s Day (#IWD 2021) with Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji, Culinary Expert, Mentor, Food Blogger, Hospitality and Food Consultant. Read on her message,
Namita Nayyar
With more than 20 years of experience in the world of culinary, you believe “that food is like oxygen to me. Food for me is God.”. Share what excites you most about being a Chef, Mentor, Culinary Expert and Food Blogger?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
‘All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to you my angel mother in Heaven.’ Every day is a new day. New learnings and new teachings. I hold a Title that many people hold as a dream. When I was working as a full-time Program Head-Culinary Arts and as an Associate Professor –Food Production the biggest motivation were my students! They are full of spirit and enthusiasm for learning new dishes and cuisines; they keep me on my toes always. All of us learn from each other. Their ideas motivate me to share and gain more knowledge.
Now as a Chef Consultant, Culinary Expert & Food Blogger I look forward to cooking the traditional and regional dishes of Amazing India. I look forward to cooking them, styling them, and doing the food photography and featuring it on my blog so that I can share it with all. Also, as a Chef Consultant I simply adore giving live demonstration of cooking the fabulous and most delectable Indian Cuisine.
Namita Nayyar
You have been into menu planning and have prepared exotic cuisines for the Former Hon. President of India Her Excellency Smt. Pratibha Tai Patil, cricketer Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, Mr. Rahul Dravid and several other dignitaries and eminent personalities.
Share how do you go about planning a meal for an individual?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
What I kept in mind was to serve authentic traditional recipes with a perfect balance of nutrients. They are busy with their tight work schedules where there are times that they have to skip their meals, considering that fact my menu was 101 % a balanced meal.
For Sachin Sir and Rahul Dravid Sir I considered the fact that a high protein diet menu needs to be planned and at the same time something highly creative and innovative. Energy and Protein Foods is a must in my menu for sports people. A good combination is a must. Spices need to be very mild. Inclusion of soups, salads and fruits in their diet is a must. Ensuring that the food given to them is not too heavy, lots of fluids, juices, and shakes. Healthy, wholesome foods and energy filled snacks to fuel their performance. Menu should be carbohydrate-loaded, non-fat-filled meals. A balanced diet is a must.
Namita Nayyar
Another experience we would like you to enlighten us on is, your hand in food preparations for IPL matches and T 20-20 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. How was the experience, a memorable experience you would like to share?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
Memorable experience itself is meeting the God of Cricket Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, witnessing him to be so humble and a down to earth person, full of zest and zeal.
Namita Nayyar
As indicated, you successfully completed the online training – Level-I on Covid-19 Guidelines for food handlers from fssai and FOSTAC conducted by Indianeers Food Safety Management.
The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2021 (IWD 2021) is, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.”. Tips you would like to share with the audience to follow in testing times.
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
When it comes to equality in all Genders, I believe it starts from the time a child is born, I was fortunate that my parents raised me to be the strong and independent lady that I am today. Basically, this should include that life skills like cooking and house-keeping should not only be specifically for the girl child it should be for all the genders too.
In the pandemic we have witnessed that both women & Men had to work from home, there were a good number of people who shared their responsibilities and for those who did not should understand that it isn’t a gender-oriented role… that is cooking and cleaning for only women and earning for men.
We see the women being independant and are sometimes the breadwinners of the house too. Only when these significant things are well understood by our society will we look forward to achieving equality at the workplace too. So this needs to be inculcated in our children that all are born equal with equal rights. Nobody is superior or inferior to the other.
Namita Nayyar
Women leaders and women’s organizations have demonstrated their skills, knowledge, and networks to effectively lead in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
Food handling, cooking, intake & storage tips to stay nourished with strong immunity?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
I have witnessed that people had started hoarding and stuffing food and groceries in their pantries due to the panic of the Covid19 Pandemic. Therefore, I decided to create awareness of Sustainable cooking, recipes, resourceful use of leftover food and zero-waste recipes. I started getting a lot of calls and messages to help them curate these recipes with minimum or no wastage. I started curating these recipes and helped a lot of people with it. This was not done to stabilize my income but to do something for the society during this pandemic.
Not a penny charged / no consultation fee charged and the satisfaction that I received was much much more than anything. As far as immunity is concerned, we all know that Indian cuisine has absolutely amazing preparations in which we use a lot of ingredients like turmeric, ginger and the list goes on to build up our immunity.
My blog has a lot of immunity boosting recipes and tips which will further guide people to follow the same. One such story that I wrote on my blog is super beneficial…. https://chefreetuudaykugaji.com.
Namita Nayyar
How do you plan to celebrate International Women’s day this year? Your message for women around the globe?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
I believe every day is an International Women’s Day… We are perfect as Women. We don’t need only a day to celebrate ourselves, we must celebrate ourselves every day. My message to all the women around the globe is….. I believe that I have Risen like a Phoenix… From a delicate girl with blurred dreams, with just a 3 Year Diploma in Hotel Management to a Strong lady today holding a Double Masters and who has appeared on the Cover Page of various esteemed Magazines, I believe that If She can do it, so can you.
I believe every day is an International Women’s Day… We are perfect as Women.
Namita Nayyar
Your daily health & fitness routine with a demanding career and prevent unwanted weight gain?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
Let me tell you that I am not lean, I used to be once upon a time, but I love myself the way I am. I believe one needs to be healthy both physically and Mentally. For being healthy what I follow is I am a huge fan of local and seasonal Vegetables and fruits. I incorporate them in my diet, and I gorge on desserts too … yes you heard it right but sugar-free that is preparing desserts / sweets with the natural sugars that are inherently present in them.
For my mind me-time is especially important, also I love listening to Music and watching and absorbing the motivational talks of Oprah Winfrey. I also watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Basically, the mantra is to stay healthy and pamper yourself with what gives you immense happiness… because only if I am happy can I spread happiness.
Namita Nayyar
You are a mentor & a role model to many women aspiring to be a good cook, 5 tips to be an all-rounder?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
Women are already all-rounders; they are born with the Gift of Miracles but hold on I just want to say start giving yourself the priority and respect you deserve … It is not being selfish… I call it being kind to ourselves. Be proud of your roots.
Rest all is your dedication, commitment, and destiny. Wishing you all Good luck and God bless!!!!
For more, Visit: