Farming The Undeniable Foundation Of Tradition, According To Ranveer Brar

MUMBAI – Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar has once again shared his belief that agriculture is the essential foundation of all traditions and cultures.

He explained, “So, what impacts food eventually? Agriculture. It comes down to you will cook what you get. Then after that, different styles, different cultures keep adding layers to it. Sometimes the religion’s culture adds a layer that according to this religion, we eat.” He further noted that these layers can include gender bias or the changing seasons, but emphasized, “the foundation of everything is agriculture, which is undeniable.”

Earlier, Brar had remarked that harvest festivals in India are deeply tied to the realities of farm life rather than mere symbolism.

Coming from a farming family, his childhood was shaped by the rhythms of the land. He shared, “I come from a farming family, so for me, harvest festivals were never symbolic; they were real. I grew up around farms, watching crops grow, watching the mood of the house change depending on how the season went. Food was directly linked to effort, weather and patience.”

This upbringing continues to shape how he approaches cooking today. Speaking about the harvest delicacies he holds dear, Brar noted that dishes made from freshly harvested grains and greens carry a unique emotional weight. He said, “When you grow up in a farming family, harvest food feels earned. For me, dishes made from freshly harvested grains and greens always hit differently, especially winter food like saag, makki ki roti, simple dals. These dishes were never about indulgence; they were about recovery, nourishment and gratitude after months of labor.”

Recalling a childhood memory that continues to inspire him, Brar spoke about how harvest meals were often prepared as a community. He said, “One memory that stays with me is how harvest meals were cooked collectively. After long days in the fields, food was prepared in large quantities, shared and tasted by many hands. There was no rush, no plating, just relief and togetherness.” Growing up in this environment taught him that food is inherently communal, leading him to believe that harvest cuisine remains the most honest form of food storytelling in India and across the world.  (IANS)