Revelations: Sameer Taneja, executive chef, Benares, Mayfair, London
What was your best subject at school?
Sanskrit
What was your first job in catering?
It was at Rajvilas in Jaipur, part of the Oberoi hotel group
What do you normally have for breakfast?
Beans on toast
Which is your favourite restaurant?
Pujol in Mexico City, Sabor in Heddon Street in London and Bombay Canteen in Mumbai
What's your favourite hotel?
Chewton Glen in Hampshire
What is your favourite drink?
Nimbu pani (fresh lime water)
Which ingredient do you hate the most?
Shrimp paste
What flavour combinations do you detest?
Fish and cheese
What do you always carry with you?
Energy and a smile!
Which person in catering have you most admired?
Pierre Koffmann
If not yourself, who would you rather have been?
A comedian
What irritates you most about the industry?
Envy
Cast away on a desert island, what luxury would you take?
A bottle of water
When did you last eat a hamburger?
Yesterday
What's your favourite film?
Gandhi
Who would play "you" in a film about your life?
Dev Patel
What's your favourite book?
The Whole Fish by Josh Niland
What is your favourite prepared product?
Ramen noodles
Who would be in your "fantasy" brigade?
I would like to work with Thomas Keller, Fergus Henderson, Michel Bras, Imitiaz Qureshi and Nathan Outlaw
If you had more time, what would you do?
Spend more time with family
Photo credit: Shutterstock
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