Enakshi Podder

My signature dish has to be Faau Phuchka. It is my ode to the little “extra” phuchka (crunchy semolina balls- a favorite street snack from my hometown) every street vendor in Kolkata gives you at the end — a tiny prize that somehow always tastes the best. Mine is a crisp phuchka filled with a mushroom croquette, sitting on buttery mashed potato with tamarind chutney, coriander oil, and microgreens. No tamarind water, but all the familiar flavors packed into one punchy bite.

Like many, my first inspirations are my mother and grandmother, whose frugal yet deeply delicious cooking shapes how I cook today. But another absolute favourite of mine is Chef Prateek Sadhu of Naar in Kasauli, India. At Naar, he places Himalayan cuisine at the heart of modern Indian gastronomy, treating it as intellectual, seasonal, and deeply rooted in landscape and technique rather than “rustic” or regional.

Food brings me immense happiness, and being able to feed people feels almost sacred to me. At the same time, I’ve always wanted to support and uplift local, emerging artists. If I win, I’d love to invest in a space that hosts not only chefs like me for events and pop-ups showcasing their work, but also artists to exhibit, collaborate, and run workshops and creative gatherings. So wish me luck :)