• Source:JND

The legendary Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor recently shared a fascinating story about the day he received the Padma Shri in 2017. While the award is one of India's most prestigious honours, Sanjeev Kapoor revealed that he was prepared to turn it down if he was not allowed to wear his professional chef’s uniform to the ceremony.

When an individual is selected for the Padma Shri, they are invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's official residence) for a formal investiture ceremony. There is a very strict dress code that the awardees need to follow. They are expected to wear formal national dress, such as a Nehru jacket or a Bandhgala.

Sanjeev Kapoor, however, felt that his identity was inseparable from his chef coat. Speaking in his video series Kahani Khazana, he explained, "I was told there's a protocol and that I would have to wear national dress." Despite the instructions, Sanjeev Kapoor viewed his uniform as a symbol of the entire culinary profession's dignity. When his initial request to wear the uniform was declined by officials, Kapoor did not back down. He reportedly told the organisers, "If you don't want to give me the Padma Shri in this, then don't give it at all."

Sanjeev Kapoor further shared, "I arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and without any argument or problem, I received the Padma Shri in my chef's uniform." He noted that over the years, TV producers often asked him to remove his chef’s hat or wear normal shirts to look more relatable. By wearing his uniform to meet the President, he reclaimed that professional status.

He stated, "For all the years I worked in a hotel as a chef, I wore my full uniform every single day at work. I feel the chef's uniform carries pride and honour, and maybe that's why chefs have reached where they are today." For him the 2017 ceremony remains a peak moment. He concluded by saying, "I feel the Padma Shri I received is not just for me, it's for the entire chef community."

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Sanjeev Kapoor's Net Worth

Today, Sanjeev Kapoor is not only the most recognised face in Indian cooking but also the wealthiest, with a reported net worth of £110 million (Rs 1165 crore). From his record-breaking show Khana Khazana to authoring over 150 books, his influence is unmatched.


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