Waah, ustaad!

Tandoori amrood with tiranga paneer

As a Qureshi - a family name synonymous with Awadhi cuisine in not just the gullies of Lucknow, but also across India since the British rule - chef Abdul Salam Qureshi was initiated into the kitchen quite early.

Galawat ke kebab and ulta tawa ka paratha

"In those days, the master chef or ustaad wouldn't allow freshers to touch even the spoon, but I was adamant on learning. So, I'd skip school from the age of nine or 10 to wander into the kitchen, no matter how much ustaad - his uncle and Padma Shri, chef Imtiaz Qureshi - reprimanded me," reminisces 69-year-old Qureshi, who has since reigned over five-star kitchens for over 40 years, creating gastronomic, almost cult-like havens, including Bukhara and Masala Art in New Delhi, and Baghicha in Mumbai. And now, armed with his bag of masalas, he is dishing out Awadhi delicacies for The Lucknow Chronicles festival at Powai's Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel.

Sewai ka muzafar

Executive chef Gautam Mehrishi had been toying with this idea to begin the year on a positive note. "And what better place than Lucknow? The city is known for its meethi zubaan and royal food. Chef Qureshi's name was the first that popped up, as he is a legend. I remember telling him that I don't want the five-star touch; I need the authentic taste of Lucknow, and he said, ‘That's what my hands are for!'" jokes Mehrishi, whose association with Qureshi dates back to their Taj Palace days in New Delhi.

Gajar aur sev ka kheer

And indeed, it is the hands, and their special blend of masalas that contribute to the genius of the Qureshis, the Lucknow-based master chef shares. "My mama and ustaad, Imtiaz Qureshi, learnt his culinary lessons from the late Haji Ishaq Qureshi. Ustaad was the one who opened up our flavours to the five-stars," explains Qureshi, who has banked on their ancient wisdom and added his own modern tweaks to reinvent the cuisine of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. "The presentation is new, for the ‘Instagram generation', but at its heart, are the same desi techniques."

Awadhi biryani

The chef's play with masalas is evident in the menu, which chronicles the sights and sounds of the erstwhile city of nawabs. We begin with a hot and sweet tandoori amrood, served with tiranga paneer - a welcome break from the usual vegetarian kebabs. Wedges of the fruit are stuffed with a filling comprising its pulp, mawa and spices, the chef reveals.

Nalli Nihari. Pics/Sameer Markande

Next up, is murgh ke parchhe - tender chicken breast marinated in a coarse, spicy masala blend that is Qureshi's version of mutton passanda, and haldi mirch ka jheenga, which stands out for the pleasant whiff of turmeric. But it's the galawat ke kebab that really elevates Qureshi's mastery to another level. Every bite melts on the tongue, with mini parathas made on ulta tawa adding a hint of sweetness.

Chef Abdul Qureshi

While we take a moment to appreciate it, the Awadhi gosht dum parda biryani arrives, bringing with it the sweet aroma of saffron. When we remark how light the biryani and the nalli nihari - both signature dishes of the cuisine - are, Qureshi informs us, "Our ancestors devised the masalas in such a way that the food, although rich, digests easily."

Gautam Mehrishi

As we wrap up with a toasty shahi tukda, a creamy and wintry gajar aur sev ka kheer, and sewai ka muzafar - vermicelli roasted and soaked in saffron flavoured sugar syrup - we can't help but notice the lingering aroma of masalas on our fingertips. "That's his specialty. Even if you use soap, the smell will stay," Mehrishi informs, adding they will be handing out to diners a slice of Qureshi's wisdom as test tubes filled with his spice blends. Now, that's a meal to remember.

Till: February 7, 7 pm to 11 pm
At: Lake View Cafe, Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Powai
Cost: Rs 2,945 onwards