https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Harpal_Singh_SokhiHarpal Singh Sokhi - Revision history2026-07-31T23:18:06ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Harpal_Singh_Sokhi&diff=101722&oldid=prev>FrescoBot at 01:43, 6 May 20212021-05-06T01:43:01Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>'''Harpal Singh Sokhi''' is a [[celebrity chef]] from [[India]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indian-homemakers-amateurs-veteran-chefs-take-cooking-online-114080700298_1.html |title=Indian homemakers, amateurs, veteran chefs take cooking online |date=2014-08-07 |newspaper=Business Standard }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/03/15/uk.royal.wedding.menus/index.html |title=Chefs plan wedding menu fit for future king |author=Laura Allsop |publisher=CNN |date=2011-03-07 }}</ref> As a chef, he worked with multiple hotel and restaurant chains, before launching his own chain – The Punjabi Tadka – in 2013. He has hosted the cooking show ''Turban Tadka'', and is the Director of Turban Tadka Hospitality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.restaurantindia.in/2013/harpal-sokhi.php |title=Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi |publisher=Indian Restaurant Congress |accessdate=2015-08-04 }}</ref><br />
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{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Harpal Singh Sokhi<br />
| image = Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi (cropped).jpg<br />
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --><br />
| caption = Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1966}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Kharagpur]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]<br />
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --><br />
| death_place = <br />
| nationality = [[India]]<br />
| occupation = [[Chef]], [[Restaurateur]] <br />
| years_active = <br />
| known_for = "Namak Shamak"<br />
| notable_works = <br />
| module = <br />
{{Infobox chef | child=yes <br />
| death_cause = <br />
| education = Diploma in Hotel Management from [[Institute_of_Hotel_Management|IHM]], [[Bhubaneswar]]<br />
| home_town = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]<br />
| spouse = Aparna Sokhi (1996 to present)<br />
| style = [[Indian_cuisine|Indian Cuisine]]<br />
| ratings = <!-- {{plainlist|<br />
* [[Michelin star]]s {{Rating|0|3}}<br />
* [[American Automobile Association|AAA Motor Club]] {{Rating|0|5}}<br />
* [[Mobil]] {{Rating|0|5}}<br />
* [[Good Food Guide]] {{Rating|0|10}}<br />
}} --><br />
| restaurants = {{bulleted list|<br />
| 'Funjabi Tadka'<ref name="fntdka">{{cite news |last1=Niyogi |first1=Subhro / TNN / |title=Celeb Namak Shamak chef to serve Funjabi Tadka {{!}} Kolkata News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/celeb-namak-shamak-chef-to-serve-funjabi-tadka/articleshow/17325964.cms |access-date=28 April 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=22 November 2012 |language=en}}</ref><br />
| ‘Twist of Taste<ref name="ToT2">{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Tribune News |title=Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi opens first restaurant in city, with a ‘Twist’ |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/chef-harpal-singh-sokhi-opens-first-restaurant-in-city-with-a-twist-283634 |access-date=28 April 2021 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |date=22 August 2016 |language=en}}</ref>’ first opened in [[Amritsar]], 2016<br />
| 'BB Jaan<ref name="BBjaan">{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Tribune News |title=Namak shamak and happiness |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/namak-shamak-and-happiness-199905 |access-date=28 April 2021 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |date=23 February 2016 |language=en}}</ref>' at 'Hotel Cabbana Resorts & Spas' [[Jalandhar]]<br />
| 'Dhadoom<ref name="dhdoom">{{cite news |last1=Ganguly |first1=Shramana |title=Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi brings Dhadoom to Ahmedabad |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/chef-harpal-singh-sokhi-brings-dhadoom-to-ahmedabad/articleshow/62038479.cms |access-date=28 April 2021 |work=The Economic Times |date=12 December 2017}}</ref>' - Restaurant Chain<br />
| 'Chika-Chika'<br />
}} <br />
| prevrests = <!-- {{plainlist|<br />
* FIRST<br />
* SECOND<br />
}} --><br />
| television = {{bulleted list|<br />
| [[Khana Khazana]] on [[Zee TV]] <br />
| Harpal ki Rasoi on Siti Cable TV<br />
| Turban Tadka on [[Food_Food_(TV_channel)|Food Food]]<br />
| Kitchen Khiladi on [[Food_Food_(TV_channel)|Food Food]]<br />
| Sirf Tees Minute on [[Food_Food_(TV_channel)|Food Food]]<br />
| Desh da Swaad on [[Zee TV]]<br />
| [[Jhalak_Dikhhla_Jaa_(season_9)|Jhalak Dikhla Jaa S9]]<br />
}}<br />
| awards = <!-- {{plainlist|<br />
* FIRST<br />
* SECOND<br />
}} --><br />
| website = {{URL|harpalssokhi.com}}<br />
| module = <br />
}}<br />
}}<br />
== Early life ==<br />
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Harpal Singh Sokhi grew up in [[Kharagpur]], [[West Bengal]], where his father worked with the [[Indian Railways]]. He has two older sisters and one brother. He studied at the South Eastern Railway Mixed Higher Secondary School. He was inspired to become a chef by his mother's cooking. His father travelled a lot for work, and encouraged his kids to try a lot of different cuisines.<ref name="SK_month"/> His brother also cooked food at a [[langar (Sikhism)|langar]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://lucknow.amarujala.com/news/city-news-lkw/chef-harpal-singh-sokhi/ |title=नमक-शमक फेम हरपाल सिंह ऐसे बने शेफ |newspaper=Amar Ujala |date=2013-11-09 }}</ref><br />
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Inspired by the academic atmosphere in Kharagpur (which is home [[IIT Kharagpur]]), Sokhi initially wanted to pursue engineering, but was not good at studies.<ref name="DNA_Amrita_2014"/> He also expressed interest in joining the [[Indian Air Force]], but by the time he decided to apply, he had crossed the maximum age limit. He came to know about the hotel management career from a friend who studied in [[Siliguri]]. Sokhi's brother encouraged him to appear for the hotel management entrance exam, and Sokhi enrolled at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), [[Bhubaneswar]] in 1984.<ref name="DNA_Amrita_2014">{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-dash-of-cheer-1998394 |title=Dash of cheer |author=Amrita Madhukalya |date=2014-06-29 |newspaper=DNA }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nagpurtoday.in/in-saojithe-balance-of-ingredients-is-very-good-that-is-the-real-art-of-cooking-harpal-sokhi/10071436 |title=In Saoji,the balance of ingredients is very good.That is the real art of Cooking – Harpal Sokhi |date=2012-10-07 |author=Suhani |publisher=Nagpur Today }}</ref><br />
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== Career as a chef ==<br />
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In 1987, Sokhi completed his diploma in catering from IHM Bhubaneswar.<ref name="SK_month"/> He started his career as a trainee cook at [[Oberoi Hotels & Resorts|The Oberoi]] in Bhubaneswar. At 27, he became an [[executive chef]].<ref name="DNA_Amrita_2014"/><br />
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Sokhi spent several years in learning different international cuisines. He learnt [[Hyderabadi cuisine|Hyderabadi cooking]] from Ustad Habib Pasha and Begum Mumtaz Khan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.financialexpress.com/news/royal-aromas-at-home/389358/0 |title=Royal aromas, at home |date=2008-11-23 |newspaper=Financial Express |author=Sulekha Nair }}</ref> He also did research on [[Ayurveda]]-based food to see how cooking can improve nutritive value of the food.<ref name="FF_Harpal"/><ref name="HSS_about"/><br />
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He went on to work as a chef with several restaurants, including:<ref name="FF_Harpal">{{cite web |url=http://www.foodfood.com/chefs/chef-harpal-singh-sokhi/ |title=Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi |publisher=Food Food |accessdate=2015-08-04 }}</ref><br />
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* Vintage, a Hyderabadi speciality restaurant<br />
* Centaur Hotel, [[Juhu]], [[Mumbai]]<br />
* Hotel Tuli International, [[Nagpur]] (1994–98)<br />
* [[Regent International Hotels|The Regent]], [[Mumbai]] (1998–2001)<br />
* The Regent, [[Jakarta]]<br />
* [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces|Taj Lands End]], [[Bandra]], Mumbai<ref>{{cite news |url=http://mumbaimessenger.com/chef-profile-harpal-singh-sokhi/ |title=Chef Profile – Harpal Singh Sokhi |author=Mewati Sitaram |newspaper=Mumbai Messenger |date=2015-04-16 }}</ref><br />
* Blue Cilantro in [[Andheri]], Mumbai<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rutBoeZOzl4C&lpg=PA62 |title=Mumbai by Night |author=Rashmi Uday Singh |author-link=Rashmi Uday Singh |page=62 |publisher=Popular |year=2005 |isbn=9788179910009 }}</ref><br />
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Sokhi has conducted cooking schools at Regent Jakarta and [[The Peninsula Manila]]. He has also organised [[Indian cuisine|Indian food]] festivals internationally.<ref name="FF_Harpal"/><br />
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In 2001, Sokhi and others founded [[Khana Khazana]] India Pvt Ltd. He led food trials, developed ready-to-eat products for the ''Khazana'' brand, and conceptualised a range of chocolate ''mithai''s ([[List of Indian sweets and desserts|Indian sweets]]).<ref name="SK_month"/> He has also been involved with the [[Ching's Secret]] brand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-uppercrust-food-and-wine-show-s-12th-edition-from-friday-2040462 |title=UpperCrust Food and Wine Show's 12th edition from Friday |newspaper=DNA |date=2014-12-03 }}</ref><br />
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Sokhi executed the business class menus on [[Singapore Airlines]] for seven years, and also conducted the "Ancient Indian Food" promotion on Indian Airlines. He has also developed menus for [[KUONI SOTC|SOTC]] travels.<ref name="SK_month"/><ref name="HSS_about">{{cite web |url=http://www.harpalssokhi.com/about-chef/ |title=About Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi |accessdate=2015-08-04 |publisher=Official website |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812071011/http://www.harpalssokhi.com/about-chef/ |archivedate=2015-08-12 }}</ref> Besides, he has developed menus for [[Wockhardt Hospitals]].<ref name="SK_month"/><br />
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Sokhi has taught as a guest faculty member at the [[N. L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nldalmia.in/faculty/guest.php |title=Guest faculty |publisher=NL Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research |accessdate=2015-08-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731042336/http://nldalmia.in/faculty/guest.php |archivedate=2015-07-31 }}</ref> He has also designed menus for many events, including weddings and birthday parties.<ref name="HSS_about"/><br />
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== Television ==<br />
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In 1993, Sokhi hosted the first episode of ''[[Khana Khazana]]'' on [[Zee TV]].<ref name="DNA_Amrita_2014"/><ref name="FF_Harpal"/> He launched his first solo show ''Harpal ki Rasoi'' on Nagpur's local Siti Cable TV, but the show was not as successful as Sokhi expected it to be. Later, Sokhi started hosting ''Turban Tadka'' on [[Food Food (TV channel)|Food Food]] channel, which gained him popular recognition in India.<ref name="DNA_Amrita_2014"/> It became one of the top cookery shows by [[Target rating point|TRPs]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/would-love-to-highlight-kolkata-street-food-harpal-sokhi/1061777/ |title=Would love to highlight Kolkata street food: Harpal Sokhi |date=2013-01-19 |newspaper=Indian Express }}</ref> Sokhi came to be known for his phrase ''namak shamak''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Famous-faces-of-cookery-shows-on-television/articleshow/47173923.cms |title=Famous faces of cookery shows on television |author=Rashi Walia |newspaper=The Times of India |date=2015-08-04 }}</ref><br />
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He has also hosted the TV shows ''Kitchen Khiladi''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131206/ttlife1.htm |title=Spice route |author=Mona |newspaper=The Tribune Life+Style |location=Chandigarh |date=2013-12-06 }}</ref> and ''Sirf Tees Minute'' on FoodFood channel.<ref name="SK_month"/> In 2014, he hosted [[Zee News]]' road food show ''Desh da Swaad'', travelling across India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-zee-news-to-air-new-food-and-travel-show-desh-da-swaad-1997960 |title=Zee News to air new food and travel show, Desh da Swaad |author=Amrita Madhukalya |date=2016-06-26 |newspaper=DNA }}</ref> He is also one of India's top chefs on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-home-chefs-youtube-nisha-madhulika-gayatri-sharma-sanjeev-kapoor-sanjay-thumma-harpal-singh-sokhi/1/380025.html |title=Home chefs find YouTube way to success |publisher=India Today |date=2014-08-31 }}</ref> In 2016, he participated in the dance reality show ''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 9)|Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9]]''.<br />
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== Other ventures ==<br />
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In 1998, Sokhi conceptualised and executed the opening of the Indian specialty restaurant ''Khazana'' in [[Dubai]].<ref name="FF_Harpal"/> He also formulated business plans and opening plans for other restaurants.<ref name="SK_month"/> In 2012, he decided to launch his own restaurant chain ''The Funjabi Tadka'' (TFT).<ref name="ToI_Funjabi_2012">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Celeb-Namak-Shamak-chef-to-serve-Funjabi-Tadka/articleshow/17325964.cms |title=Celeb Namak Shamak chef to serve Funjabi Tadka |author=Subhro Niyogi |date=2012-11-22 |newspaper=The Times of India }}</ref> The flagship branch of the restaurant opened on 18 January 2013 in [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130117/jsp/entertainment/story_16448491.jsp#.VcDsoZRBTIU |title=New in town: The Funjabi Tadka |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=2013-01-17 }}</ref><br />
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Sokhi has written [[food writing|food columns]] for newspapers and magazines.<ref name="HSS_about"/> He is one of the oldest associates of [[Sanjeev Kapoor]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/leisure/food/features/sanjeev-kapoor-signature-restaurant-in-abu-dhabi-is-a-no-brainer-1.1256896 |title=Sanjeev Kapoor: Signature restaurant in Abu Dhabi is a 'no brainer' |publisher=Gulf News |date=2013-11-19 |author=Manjari Saxena }}</ref> and has developed content for his books.<ref name="SK_month"/> The two have authored a book ''Royal Hyderabadi Cooking''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/master-hyderabadi-cuisine/article1362831.ece |title=Master Hyderabadi cuisine |date=2008-10-24 |newspaper=The Hindu }}</ref><br />
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== Personal life ==<br />
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Sokhi lives in [[Mumbai]] with his wife Aparna. The couple has two daughters: Anushka and Antra. He is fluent in six languages: [[Indian English|English]], [[Hindi]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Odia language|Odia]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]].<ref name="SK_month">{{cite web |url=http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Starchef/Chef-Harpal-Singh-Sokhi |title=Star Chef of the Month: Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi |author=Sanjeev Kapoor |accessdate=2015-08-04 }}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist|30em}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
* {{Official website|http://www.harpalssokhi.com/}}<br />
* {{YouTube|u=chefharpalsingh|{{PAGENAMEBASE}}}}<br />
* {{Twitter | id= harpalsokhi | name= Harpal Singh Sokhi }} <br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sokhi, Harpal Singh}}<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Indian food writers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian chefs]]<br />
[[Category:Indian television chefs]]<br />
[[Category:Chefs of Indian cuisine]]<br />
[[Category:Indian YouTubers]]<br />
[[Category:People from Paschim Medinipur district]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi people]]<br />
[[Category:Indian Sikhs]]<br />
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]<br />
[[Category:People from Kharagpur]]</div>>FrescoBot