Heather on her travels

On the Maharajas’ Express in India: a peek into the luxury train’s kitchen

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 02:12 PM PDT

The Maharajas’ Express is the last word in luxury train travel and the ultimate way to see India in style, with journeys from Mumbai to Delhi. One of the many highlights of a trip aboard the luxurious Maharajas' Express is the food with something to delight every appetite from berry compote pancake with fresh watermelon juice for breakfast, to filet mignon, smoked beef saltimbocca or prawn tikka for dinner.

Maharaja's Express in India

To find out a little more about what goes on behind the scenes in the kitchen, we interviewed the executive chef Shanaj Madhavan on a recent journey aboard the luxury train.

What is the secret behind the wonderful food that guests experience?

Team on the Maharajas' Express in India

Well, it is not much of a secret. The key ingredient and what makes our food so unique is the passion and love that goes into making it by the fantastic team.

There must be limitations to working on board a train? What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

It can be difficult to make food on a moving train, especially as the kitchen is pretty small. We are very famous for our garnishes and our presentation, so when the train runs, it shakes, which make things difficult, especially with hot sauces. We have learned from experience to cope well!

What is your speciality dish?

My speciality cuisines are Italian, French, Mediterranean, Mexican and of course Indian. I would say my speciality dish at the moment is dum ka ghosht; a spicy dish consisting of succulent pieces of lamb cooked in an aromatic cashew nut and onion sauce – really delicious!

What is the most popular dish among guests?

All our dishes are popular among guests, including the Indian cuisine such as chicken tikka masala and the biryanis, rajasthani lamb preparations and vegetarian dishes. Some of these creations are our signature dishes, which you can only get on the Maharajas' and we are very proud of these. It is important to use the right ingredients and we take great care in selecting them.

Dinner on the Maharajas' Express in India

Where do you source all the ingredients?

In terms of ingredients, we pick them all up along the way in different parts of India, depending on seasonality and availability. All the meat products, however we bring in from abroad – New Zealand lamb, salmon from Norway and so on. Wherever we go, we stop at markets where my manager and I buy the ingredients, making sure they are of the best quality and fresh – we don't believe in frozen.

Fresh ingredients for the Maharajas' Express in India

How big is your team and how hard do they work?

I have 17 people working for me in the kitchen who work around nine to ten hour days and they work very hard. For example, the bread is freshly baked for every meal. We make everything fresh; we don't freeze or recycle anything.

The team on the Maharajas' Express in India

Who is the most famous person you have cooked for?

I have cooked for many celebrities, but Queen Elizabeth II is probably the most famous person I have cooked for. However, every passenger on board is unique and important to us, that is our tradition and culture.

If you could cook for one person in the world who would it be?

I would cook for my family, children and parents. Whenever I go for a vacation every two or three months, I take the opportunity to cook for them and make local dishes. My children like pasta and local delicacies on banana leaves.

What was your previous job before you started working on the train? How different was that experience from this?

Bar on the Maharajas' Express

I was the head chef at the American embassy in Moscow, where I would cook for the ambassador, diplomats and other high profile guests. These experiences are what have made me a chef. I got to know different cultures, eating habits and tastes. The menu on board the Maharajas' Express has been influenced by my travels around the world and is designed for every different palate, from large banquets to small intimate dinners.

Further information about The Maharajas’ Express

Imagine a rail journey in the style of royalty. Imagine experiencing the mesmerising wonders of India from the palatial surroundings of a luxuriously appointed private cabin. You are imagining the Maharajas' Express. Disembark to immerse yourself in the country's rich history, cultural treasures, spectacular wildlife, temples, palaces and people – all brought to life by expert local guides. Relax on board amid state-of-the-art comforts, enjoying the finest cuisine and discreet attentive service.

Maharajas' Express in India

My thanks for this sponsored post to Cox & Kings, the world’s longest established travel company, organises high quality group tours, private journeys and tailor-made holidays to many of the world’s most fascinating regions.

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