Namita Nayyar:
In February 2019, you were named Asia’s Best Female Chef for the year by World’s 50 Best Restaurants &your restaurant ‘Gaa’ made its debut on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants listed at No. 15, in 2020? Congratulations for the great achievement, according to you where the secret lies for the same?
Garima Arora:
I don’t think there’s any secret to this except hard work and determination.
Namita Nayyar:
Your daily fitness & diet routine? Type of diet your follow & stick by?
Garima Arora:
I do strength training with my personal trainer three times a week. In normal circumstances, I would be spinning twice a week as well but currently all gyms are closed due to Covid, so now I stick to private yoga sessions just to make sure I get some balance in. In terms of nutrition, I find that a diet that is high in fat and low in carbs works best for me. It keeps me feeling satisfied with a steady flow of energy throughout the entire day. Keeping blood sugar levels stable is the key for me.
Namita Nayyar:
Your 5 all-time favourite recipes you love to eat & serve your family?
Garima Arora:
My grandmother’s recipe of Latto (Burmese salad), my grandfather’s recipe of keema, my mom’s recipe for ghiya (gourd), my recipe for green chili clams and my dad’s never-ending brunch sessions (too much food and wine to count on this one).
Namita Nayyar:
Skin care & hair care routine you follow?
Garima Arora:
Coconut oil for everything!!
Namita Nayyar:
You recently launched Food Forward India (FFI), a culinary initiative that brings together people at the forefront of the Indian food industry? Throw some light on the same, reasons behind the same?
Garima Arora:
When we first won all the accolades back in 2019, people asked me all sorts of questions about what I wanted to do next in my career. They wanted to know if I’d do a 4-hand pop up or a new restaurant in India and so on. In that moment, it was clear to me that I would like to use the momentum to bring attention to a cause that I believe in strongly and that is to show the world the real “Indian cuisines.” So that’s how Food Forward India came about. Today its mission is to explore and catalogue the immense diversity of the cuisines of India.
Namita Nayyar:
What gives you immense happiness as a Chef? You’re role model?
Garima Arora:
Trying something new for the first time and taking that experience to my guests. I love it when you have to think, smell, see and touch your food together with tasting to understand it. Eating something that has no point of reference. My role model is always my dad.
Namita Nayyar:
Five key factors one should work upon before starting a restaurant? Where does the success lie?
Garima Arora:
Number 1 will always be believed in what you do. It’s the most important because there will be noise along the way and you have to stick to your gut feelings.
Number 2 is to have a clear business plan.
Number 3 is to surround you with people who not only have valuable skills but also a good attitude.
Number 4 is to get a good accountant.
Number 5 is to be mentally and physically prepared for whatever comes your way. Sometimes you won’t know until the moment arrives so it’s important to always be ready to act.
Namita Nayyar:
Your future plans & projects? How have you coped during the pandemic?
Garima Arora:
It is hard to look too far into the future at the moment when things can change all the time in this climate but the one thing I make sure to do is to maintain and control my own physical and mental health. I realized that if I don’t take care of myself then I can’t take care of the other 40 lives whose livelihood depends on me and my decisions. Being in good physical health is the only way to stay sane and sharp through this difficult time.
Namita Nayyar:
Message for your fans and Women Fitness followers?
Garima Arora:
“You will never always be motivated. Learn to be disciplined.”
Garima Arora Social media presence
- Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/arorgarima/
Gaa Restaurant
- Official Website : https://www.gaabkk.com/
- Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/gaabangkok
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
