Mumbai: There is just something about Indian food that people from all corners of the world find hard to resist and to see our cuisine getting appreciated on the global front is all the more gratifying. Taking our desi flavours global recently is the Indian pastry chef Zareen Shaukat who stood fourth in the World Tapas Competition 2023 Competition held in Spain. She gave an Indian twist with her pastry skills to the Spanish delicacy of Tapa and made Murgh Makhani Mille Feuille which was immensely loved by the jury.

Zareen opted for Murgh Makhani AKA butter chicken as the main dish for the competition as it perfectly represents our country’s taste, colour and vibrancy. Elaborating more about her dish, Zareen said, “Since it was a Tapa-making competition, the dish had to be bite-sized. I added a burst of flavour to it by incorporating components like mint caviar, onion & beetroot viel & papadums”. Zareen Shaukat gave a Spanish-Indian fusion touch to the dish by making smoked saffron labneh as saffron is also a culinary favourite in the former country’s cuisine adding to the ode to the amalgamation of cultures. She also showed her pastry skills by adding puff pastry as her base.

Representing India on a global platform is always a momentous occasion. Zareen beamed with pride as she bagged fourth place in this competition, and went to the stage to collect her trophy by waving the Indian national flag. Being selected for this global competition that had top chefs from 16 countries is indeed a huge feat, and Zareen impressed the jury with her Spanish-Indian fusion dish that also had a perfect blend of savoury flavours

Sharing her amazing experience of being chosen for the World Tapas Competition 2023, Zareen Shaukat said, “The platform was huge and it was an amazing experience to represent your country at a global level and to show your talent.” She also wishes that more people apply to such competitions as they make for a lifetime experience.