At the intersection of design and culinary arts, Anurag Arora stands as a visionary, redefining the boundaries of creativity and taste. Hailing from Bengaluru, this independent chef and product designer has seamlessly merged his two worlds, creating a captivating synergy between visual aesthetics and gastronomic delights.
Cooking became a part of Anurag's life at a tender age, initially helping his mother in the kitchen. His mother's appreciation for his culinary skills extended beyond the family table, often involving friends and neighbors. Even as he pursued a career in design, his passion for cooking remained — finding expression in dorms, canteens, and any available kitchen.
Yet, it wasn't until he had his own kitchen that his culinary journey truly blossomed. Cooking became his liberating space, akin to art, where he could unleash his creativity without constraints. This parallels his design work, but with food, he feels an unparalleled sense of ownership and freedom of expression.
Anurag's foray into the culinary world began with his home pop-up in 2019, marking the inception of his culinary journey. His background in product design has significantly influenced his approach to both creating and presenting dishes.
He views his pop-ups as holistic experiences, applying a designer's horizontal thinking to consider every interaction point, from the initial invite creative to space design and menu presentation, ensuring a coherent and thoughtful process. Much like the iterative nature of design, his culinary creations undergo a similar journey, starting with an idea and evolving through experimentation until they meet his discerning taste. Notably, he dedicates considerable time to perfecting the visual presentation of his dishes, a detail evident in his Instagram-worthy creations.
The chef believes food to be 'borderless', emphasizing that he doesn't confine himself to specific cuisines or techniques in pursuit of deliciousness, which he sees as the ultimate goal. Food for him is a conduit of joy, and he shares his passion for exceptional dining experiences with others.
Three core principles shape his approach: a commitment to crafting fresh and unique dishes, an acute focus on visually stimulating presentations that awaken curiosity, and an unwavering dedication to creating dishes that are undeniably delicious, ensuring he would relish them himself at any dining table.
His home pop-ups have evolved into The Brunch Club, a recurring community of brunch enthusiasts who can relish a leisurely Sunday meal at a communal table. Anurag's unwavering excitement for the first meal of the day fuels his approach to the brunch club, where he seeks to ignite that same enthusiasm in others.
His mission is to craft dishes that excite him personally and translate that excitement onto the plate, offering a unique dining experience that reimagines brunch beyond the conventional. For instance, his upcoming menu featuring Taiwanese influences promises to be one of his most thrilling yet, aiming to reshape perceptions of this beloved meal.
The Brunch Club is taking place on September 9 & 10 from 11.30 AM – 1:30 PM at Magazine St. Kitchen. Click here to register and follow Anurag here.
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