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Raksha Bandhan is much more about the sibling celebration of love and is a testimonial to those very few small moments, yet the most definitive ones of relationship ties. For many, the festival is an occasion to shower affection on sisters through well-thought-of gifts and gestures. However, for chefs, the day is even more special when they express their love through food, crafting dishes that hold a special place in their sister's heart. Whether whipping up a childhood favourite, putting a modern twist on classic sweets, or just making everyday meals a little special, these culinary artists put their hearts into it. For some, it is the nostalgia of meals mom used to make; for others, it is that new look of surprise on the faces of the sisters. Slurrp spoke to a few chefs and dived deep into their Rakhi celebrations, where food and love go hand in hand, making the bond even sweeter.
Exploring Rakhi and food memories with chefs
Raksha Bandhan, popularly known as Rakhi, is one such festival which is truly etched in the Indian tradition and stands for an invincible sibling relationship. The day is marked by tying a rakhi, a sacred thread by the sister on her brother's wrist accompanied by praying for his well-being. He in turn pledges to protect her throughout his life. This usually follows exchanging gifts with each other and obviously gorging on festive foods very dear to the siblings' hearts.
It is in culinary artistry that Rakhi offers the chefs an opportunity to express their affection uniquely.
Chef Nishant Choubey, Founder of BHAANAS in Dwarka, reflects on how Raksha Bandhan has always been about creating something extraordinary for his sister. “Every Rakhi, I would go out of my way to create something special for my sister. She has always had a sweet tooth, so desserts were a must. One Rakhi, I decided to surprise her with a homemade dessert that was close to her heart—her all-time favourite, Gulab Jamun, but with a twist. Instead of the traditional recipe, I infused it with rose essence and saffron, giving it a delicate floral aroma that made it extra special,” shares Chef Nishant.
He reminisces about the joy his sister experienced upon tasting this unique creation, which brought back memories of them sneaking sweets in their childhood. For Chef Nishant, cooking for his sister on Rakhi has become a tradition. He thoughtfully incorporates her favourite ingredients, whether it’s a fusion dessert or adding her preferred spices to a savoury dish. These food memories, for Chef Nishant, are more than just meals; they are a celebration of their sibling relationship, a way of saying “I care” through the art of cooking.
For Chef Vaibhav Bhargava, Brand Chef at Sansai, Surat, Raksha Bandhan has always been a special occasion, deeply rooted in family traditions. “Rakhi is a very special moment for me as I don't have a real sister, but I have 7 real cousin sisters with whom I have grown up celebrating Rakhi as a child,” he shares. He fondly recalls how his mother would plan the celebration weeks in advance, with the entire family gathering at their place since his father was the second eldest among five siblings.
Continuing this tradition, Chef Vaibhav ensures that Rakhi is a day of culinary delight for his sisters. “As a tradition, we still follow the same values, and it's a special day for me to cook something special for my sisters. Generally, I plan a family meal and a few starters of their choice from different cuisines, but one thing I make sure of is that everything is fresh and cooked last minute so that we don't lose the charm of eating it together,” he explains.
Chef Vaibhav’s sisters have a particular fondness for Paneer Pasandey, which he prepares in a smoked tomato makhani sauce, served with phulkas.The meal is accompanied by a selection of appetizers and drinks, including virgin mojitos and a dessert of gud ki kheer. Understanding the growing health consciousness, he also includes grilled vegetables and multigrain pizzas, ensuring there’s something for everyone. For Chef Vaibhav, Raksha Bandhan is not just about the food but about strengthening the bond with his sisters through shared meals and cherished traditions.
For Bharat Khemani, owner of Nutmeg Caterings and an organising executive member of ICF, Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of small happiness. “Rakshabandan is just not a festival of siblings bonding; it’s a small happiness which gives brothers a feel of manhood to protect their sisters always by a thread tied by sisters on the right hand, teeka, and with something sweet,” he shares.
Being a chef, Bharat’s way of showing love for his twin sister has always been through cooking. He reveals, “My sister loves seinv badam barfi, which I prepare for her even today, now with some less sugar. I also pack it for her to take back and enjoy for some days.” Bharat also prepares something savoury and tangy, like Pindi Channa with baked kulcha, which is his signature dish and a favourite of his sister.
These chefs have stories to tell about the strong emotional connection which food can create on a day as special as Rakhi. For them, it's not a ritual or a meal but a heartfelt expression of love and care. Whether it be in the nostalgia of a family recipe or the ingenuity of whipping up something new, these chefs celebrate Rakhi by pouring their hearts into their kitchens, creating dishes that taste their love for their sisters.
