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Atul Kochhar: My Life on a Plate

The first thing I ever cooked was Paratha. An flat Indian bread, often eaten for breakfast. I think I was 11 and mum and dad were not home. I needed to feed myself and my younger brother. It wasn't perfect but was a good first attempt. After doing all that work I discovered mum had already made a few for us and kept it in a box that I didn't bother to check!

Once in while, I just like to stand in a corner of the kitchen and peel garlic, and observe kitchen operations.

I like all jobs in the kitchen, right from peeling prawns to finishing the plates. I enjoy the salad section most. Once in while, I just like to stand in a corner of the kitchen and peel garlic and observe kitchen operations.

My top food tip would be, buy the cheapest and most humble ingredients and create big flavors with them using your creativity. When I am shopping for the home, I pick up ingredients that are on sale. Once back in the kitchen, I create a menu out of my shopping basket and cook accordingly. I guess I love the challenge.

My most memorable meal - there have been many! However, my meal at The Fat Duck was probably the most memorable one. I loved the work and finish of the food in this place, purely due to the fact that I know nothing about molecular gastronomy. I am a simple, plain cook and this was food science at its best! I wasn't judging anything here - it was pure enjoyment.

My most-thumbed cook-book is Cooking for Maharajas by HRH Holkar. This is a rare book that is now out of print. It contains some amazing recipes that are more than 300 years old.

My guilty food pleasure is fried food. Samosas , fried chicken and similar are a weakness.

My biggest influences are my father and chef Albert Roux.

The weirdest thing I've ever eaten are Sago bugs. They are a worm that grows in the sap of palm trees. EEEK! Never going to do that again.

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