While I appreciate what goes into making high-end Indian dishes, street food has a special place in my heart. Being raised in India, street food played an integral part in my life while growing up.
— Maneet Chauhan
The level of competition on 'Iron Chef' was very intense. In fact, I feel like the show provides chefs with a stamp of approval and in many ways lets them know that 'they've arrived.' It was a tough journey, to say the least, but in the end, it provided me with an example how hard work and persistence pays off.
I literally just do whatever I want to do.
Every time I come to India - where I have grown up - if I spent 20 years in this country, I will never be able to uncover all of the hidden jewels.
Everybody tries so hard to pair wines with Indian food, and it has never been a natural marriage.
The crown of lamb has always been a quintessential Christmas dish, and growing up in India, we would read about lamb when learning about the holiday.
If I have the perfect meal and I'm with the person I love most - what more can you want out of life?
Summer chutneys, to me, are those that are light and usually involve almost no cooking.
For my first restaurant, I wanted to do something very special and close to my heart. Nashville felt like the place.
I love Pushkar because of the Pushkar Fair, which happens every fall - it's this camel festival, with ornately-dressed camels, camel races. But the reason I truly love this city is the Hindu mythology behind it.
Becoming the first Indian woman to compete on Food Network's 'Iron Chef' and 'Next Iron Chef' was really a great accomplishment and led to my spot as a judge on 'Chopped.'
This may sound corny, but I really admire my husband, Vivek Deora, as a businessman because I am amazed by how he conducts business internationally.
A very important part of life is growth - I need to learn things every day.
There is no substitute for hard work, and the most important thing is the belief that you can succeed.
Every time I look at both of my children, I see a future which is very bright for them, and I recognize that I need to be a role model. If they see me as someone who can achieve whatever I want, I believe that they will follow in my footsteps, and that is something that I strive for every single day.
There is absolutely no path you can choose in life that will not include challenges or blocks. These are important because they are what make you appreciate your successes.
At the end of the day, walk away feeling proud of what you have achieved.
There is so much more than ingredients that go into home cooking. A home-cooked meal includes so much love and recipes that have been passed down through generations, and that is what I truly appreciate.
Mannu - in Punjabi, it means 'mine.' My parents would call me that.
When I went to Nashville, everyone was so nice. Even the TSA agents are nice there.
Nashville is coming up to be an amazing foodie city.
I make a Bloody Mary at home with a dash of fish sauce, a little bit of coconut, and some lime juice. It gives the cocktail some South Asian flair.
A lot of people are still very afraid of spice. A lot of them don't know how to use the full potential of spice. I hope to make them more comfortable using spice and able to add it to their cooking.
A perfect chutney needs patience. If you are cooking it, cook it on a low flame; the flavors come out the best that way.
Southern India has an abundance of coconut, so the coconut chutney hails from there. Eastern India Bengal produces mustard oil, which is used in its traditional tomato chutney.
I was really impressed with the dining scenes and how amazing the culinary scene is in Nashville.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and, in my opinion, the best place to visit. It is an amazing hub of history. It's called the Pink City because all the architecture has a hint of pink in the stones used. It's an amazing stop for all kinds of food but also for history and shopping. It has a little bit of everything.
I always wanted to be a chef. Flavors and food were always of interest to me, but it was how those things brought friends and family together to celebrate not only the special occasions but everyday life. It has been a blessing that I have been able to pursue a career that creates a product that brings people together.
If there is a situation, I try to take a step back, cool down, and solve the problem. Flipping out, freaking out, and being very rude about it is not going to help.
I love working in the kitchen, but when that's the only thing you're doing, you have a very myopic view.
I have the 3 F's - Family, Food, and Faith in yourself.
I find inspiration in each and every person that I cross paths with. Every human being I interact with offers me a significant insight on some aspect of life.
A lot of people have this misconception that Indian food means heavy curries and complicated procedures.
I am Indian and a chef with Indian heritage.
When I was in India, I felt like being a full-time chef was a very unique career path. It was quite the contrast from the traditional fields like engineering and medicine and not necessarily considered a full time profession.
I love animals, but I don't think I can have pets.
The cow is sacred, and as a result, most Indians do not eat beef.
Beer is such an integral part of the Indian culture.
Restaurants are a much easier way to introduce Americans to a culture than getting them into museums.
I think food and love go hand and hand.
I usually always cook all the chutneys that I serve in the winter.
The rich diversity of the cuisine in Nashville is something that I'm incredibly proud of, and I think Tansuo will find a worthy place in Music City's culinary landscape.
My decision to open my first restaurant in Nashville was born from my heart. From the moment I stepped foot in Music City, I have had a love affair with the people and burgeoning culinary scene.
As soon as you enter Rajasthan, you are hit with colors. It's such a sensory experience. You see women in bright pink and yellow saris, camels pulling carts, historic forts - history on each and every corner.
There are no failures in life: only learning opportunities.
One of the biggest things about being an entrepreneur is discovering your own management style. You can learn from others and try to emulate what they are doing, but at the end of the day, your inherent personality - how you deal with events and situations - comes to the forefront.
I love what I do; that is the foundation of whatever I do.
I believe in myself. I also believe in the people around me, who are my support system, and knowing that they are there for me makes me stronger and more ready to fight the world.
It is a lot easier to stay focused and keep your head above water when you are pursuing your ultimate dreams!
Indian spices can find a place in any cuisine. It's just a matter of opening your mind and palate to new flavors.
