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Chef's Coat Pride: Sanjeev Kapoor's Padma Shri Stand
1 Apr
Summary
- Chef Sanjeev Kapoor was asked to change from his chef coat for Padma Shri.
- He threatened to refuse the award if not allowed to wear his uniform.
- Kapoor received the 2017 Padma Shri in his chef coat, setting a precedent.
In 2017, celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor was told to wear traditional Indian attire instead of his chef coat for the Padma Shri awards ceremony. Kapoor objected, stating that his chef's uniform represented his profession and identity, and he was prepared to refuse the award if forced to change. He had previously observed the evolution of chef attire from full uniforms to more casual wear for television.
Despite initial refusal, Kapoor arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan and received the Padma Shri award in his chef coat without further incident. This marked a significant moment, as it was the first time an individual received the award without adhering to the specified dress code.
Kapoor views the chef coat as a symbol of pride for the entire culinary profession. The arrival of chef uniforms in India dates back to the colonial era with Western-style kitchens. Initially, Indian cooks wore simple cotton garments, but uniforms became customized over time, with classic white jackets still popular alongside modern variations.
