Priyam Chatterjee becomes first Indian chef to receive French honour

Priyam Chatterjee on Monday became the first Indian chef to be awarded the 'Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mrite Agricoleto' by the government of France to recognise his contribution towards reinventing the gastronomic scene in India.

Chatterjee (30) is best known for revisiting the traditional dishes from his native state of West Bengal and giving it a French twist.

"I am living my dream at this moment because any form of words or dialogue will not justify this moment," he said.

Chatterjee added that the two major factors influencing his culinary practice were that of his family and France.

Born into a Bengali family of "exceptional cooks and artists", where feasts were a regular affair, it was only natural for a young Chatterjee to love everything about food, be it eating, or serving.

He realised French cuisine was his true calling during his very first professional stint at Park Hyatt in Hyderabad where he met French chef Jean Claude who trained Chatterjee to "learn French cuisine, precisely and with passion."