The smell of curry leaves wafted. Arnav threw his bag onto the side table and rushed towards the kitchen. 

“Aji, Aji, when did you arrive?’ he exclaimed as he hugged her from behind. 

“Mera Baba, how did you know I am here?” Aji asked. 

“Aji, the aroma of your food is so mesmerizing. I can distinguish it from anywhere. You cooked my favorite lemon rice with cucumber curd, Aji, isn’t it? 

“Yes, my Baba, you guessed it correctly.” 

“Aji, I want to be a chef when I grow up. Please pass on your legacy to me. Teach me how to be a good cook. Mum refuses to take my interest seriously, and Dad just starts screaming if I mention an interest in cooking.” 

“We will talk about this later, child. Now change, I am hungry, my boy.” 

It was the start of Arnav’s culinary journey. Whenever they were alone, Aji made him live his dream and introduced him to the world of spices. During his holidays, he preferred spending them with Aji in her village, where they were free to think and work on learning techniques and cuisines without hiding and offending his parents. Aji extracted one promise from Arnav that he would pay the same dedication to his studies and interests. 

Arnav cleared his engineering and Hotel management entrance exams in case his parents acknowledged his dreams. But as expected, his father was furious on hearing the word ‘chef.’ He was torn between rebelling against his parents' wishes and remembering his promise. He decided to pursue engineering. 

He enjoyed his campus life, but the food available in the mess was not to his liking. In the hostel, there was a small kitchen facility for the students. Arnav was happy to experiment and cook food as per his taste. When his friends tasted the food he prepared, they urged him to cook for them and offered to pay him for his skills. This gave Arnav the idea for his first start–up. 

He leased a small place and designed a small, wholesome menu with limited choices, which was easy to prepare and became a hit among the students. After college hours, he devoted time to his dreams, and his small cafe became a great hit. The desire to do the work which gave him satisfaction full-time remained a dream. Despite doubts, he decided to keep moving forward.

The day came when shadow and confusion disappeared from his mind. Arnav confronted his father and said, “The time has come for me to do what makes me happy. I pursued my degree in software engineering as you both wanted. But it is the aroma of spices and the hustle and bustle in the kitchen that makes me happy. So, I have enrolled in a culinary course to embark on my new journey.” 

His father argued and shouted, but Arnav remained firm in his decision. Arnav could feel an ecstasy within himself that was missing in his mind, body, and heart. The only person who could understand this happiness and peace was his Aji. She gave him the most precious gift, a culinary silver kit, which had his initials CAK (Chef Arnav Kapoor) embossed on each item.  gift, a culinary silver kit, which had his initials CAK (Chef Arnav Kapoor) embossed on each item. 

Determined to pursue his dream he worked hard and excelled in his craft. He made a reputation with his creativity, flavors, his magic with spices in his hands. Arnav was having the best time of his life learning and doing what he always wanted to do. 

A new chapter opened in Arnav’s life when he met Anisha, in a cafe where he was working part-time. Anisha got in a fix when she lost her purse and could not settle the bill after having a meal at the cafe. Arnav helped her out of the awkward situation by settling the bill. They were both surprised to know they were studying at the same university. Friendship blossomed between them. 

Arnav participated in the Master Chef Contest. After overcoming various obstacles, showcasing his culinary expertise, and making a lasting impression on the judges and fellow contestants, he emerged victorious. By infusing traditional recipes with innovative twists, he crafted delightful jalebi cupcakes, and dosa with poached eggs and chicken dressing. His outstanding performance earned him the winner’s trophy, along with numerous awards and a prominent place in the culinary realm. This achievement marked a significant stride towards his ambitious aspirations. 

He completed his course and then an internship with excellence. He got the best offers from high-end restaurants as a chef. Over the years, Arnav earned a reputation as one of the best chefs. He was known for his innovative dishes and impeccable attention to detail. He faced many challenges like managing a team of cooks, coming up with new menu items, and ensuring that the restaurant was always running smoothly. Despite the pressure, however, Arnav loved every moment of his job. He felt pride in his work and that he was creating something special and unique for his customers. 

On a personal front, he proposed to Anisha with a dreamy proposal. In the perfect setting on a seashore with the sound of waves in the background, the orange glaze was setting in the sky, and his signature dishes were ready to be served. A smart, beautiful lady in an off-shoulder red dress and stilettos on her feet walked in. Her long hair was flying in the breeze and her expressions expressed her ecstasy, surprise, and happiness. On the other hand, Arnav looked dapper in a blue jacket and grey trousers. He asked Anisha for a dance and whispered in her ears those three magical words of love and bent down on his knees and asked Anisha to marry him. She accepted Arnav’s proposal of marriage.  

Arnav’s life took a ninety-degree turn when two tragedies struck simultaneously. Anisha was returning from work when her car met with an accident, she died on the spot. Still in shock from Anisha’s death, Arnav received the news of his beloved Aji’s passing. Overwhelmed with grief, he lost his direction without the two biggest supports in his life.  

Struggling to handle his loss, Arnav felt like his mind was trapped in a maze. The joy and solace he once felt in his work were missing. His once happy, exuberant, patient, and extroverted self had transformed. He started smoking, snapped at his coworkers, and became easily angered. The zeal, creativity, and enthusiasm were absent. His inability to sleep and restlessness took a toll on his physical and mental health. 

One day while preparing an order, he accidentally set the kitchen on fire. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but the damage in the kitchen was immense. Arnav realized that his mental stress was jeopardizing the lives of everyone around him. He knew he needed to take a break, clear his confusion, and regain focus and clarity in his life. 

Arnav decided to take a sabbatical from work. He packed a few items in a bag and set off on a road journey. He slept wherever he fancied, ate in local places, and observed people from a distance. One day, while driving past mango groves, he was drawn to the pleasant and beautiful area. He parked his car under a tree and lit a cigarette.  

He noticed a group of boys plucking mangoes from the trees. One child was struggling to climb the tree due to an injured leg. The boy kept trying but fell each time despite his friends' attempts to help. Something stirred inside Arnav as he witnessed the boy’s refusal to give up. Tears flowed from his eyes, and all the grief stored inside began to melt. He wept for his Aji, Alisha like a baby. 

When the storm inside him subsided, he slept in the shade of a tree. Upon waking, he discovered a newfound sense of tranquility within himself, which motivated him to continue his journey of self-discovery. 

 Arnav’s eyes gleamed with newfound inspiration as he contemplated the idea of launching a new start-up. Undeterred, he engaged local individuals to join him in his culinary venture as partners, inviting them to showcase their cuisines in his restaurant under their names. The overwhelming response and support he received were truly remarkable. He always ensures that every produce and product used in his restaurant is fresh and local. This approach not only guarantees top quality for its customers but also creates job opportunities for farmers and local people. 

 My restaurant “Magic of Aji’s Delicacies” won the award of best restaurant in town. The critics awarded it a five-star rating and claimed it to be the ultimate dining experience, a must-try for all. Excellent work, Chef Arnav Kapoor. 

Arnav went on to open several chains of restaurants all over the world. He started many other ventures like organic farming, and opening his culinary institute. His urge to learn experiment, and take risks were the qualities that made him different from others. He never shied away from his failures and did not let success go to his head. He found love again in Parul, a match arranged by his parents. His father acknowledged his son’s success and proudly introduced him as a chef. 

 A quote adorns the wall of every restaurant  

“Perseverance goes a long way. Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts making it possible.”