Culinary icon and grand master chef, Imtiaz Qureshi, left a profound legacy upon his passing away on February 16. Known for his instrumental role in promoting Awadhi cuisine and reviving the tradition of dum pukht, he became synonymous with Indian cuisine at ITC Hotels. In 2016, Qureshi made history as the first chef to be awarded the Padma Shri though it is worth noting that author and chef Tarla Dalal, was honored in 2007 under the ‘Others’ category. Qureshi also brought glory to Lucknowi traditions and kept a restaurant and a brand – Dum Pukht – alive and relevant for 50 years, and one of his nephews is part of the team at ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata.
As news of chef Qureshi’s departure spread, chefs worldwide took to social media to pay tribute to the legend.
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor expressed sorrow and extended his heartfelt condolences to chef Qureshi’s family
Chef Ranveer Brar, reflecting on his culinary roots in Lucknow, shared a memory of encountering Imtiaz Qureshi’s cuisine while working as a trainee chef at the Taj Palace in Delhi
Chef Kunal Kapur acknowledged how his legacy will continue to inspire generations
Vir Sanghvi has always emphasised chef Qureshi’s pivotal role in pioneering the iconic Dum Pukht biryani
In Qureshi’s guidance, Chef Atul Kochhar sees a beacon that firmly placed Indian cuisine on the map
And finally, the last words on social media from the man himself: