Brihannala

Vallaba

Vallaba cannot be any more happy, he found the perfect paradise as his workplace, the Royal Kitchen.

It was all God's miracle he thought, he was working in the temple kitchen when he met an old man. "Who made this prasad" the old man asked with an authoritative voice. "I made it" said Vallabha. "Son, after a long time I am tasting such a delicious Halwa Bhog" he said patting Vallaba,  who felt a little flattered and embarrassed at this open appreciation. He was often teased by his brothers about eating but never praised for his cooking.

(*Bhog or prasad means a food item made and offered to god, *Halwa is a sweet delicacy made from semolini, milk and ghee/butter)

"What is your name son", asked the old man, "I am Vallaba". "Where have you learned cooking" he asked. "I am passionate about food and so I  would often work in the kitchens as I grew up and learned from anyone who would teach me" said Vallaba honestly. He reminisced the time he spent as a kid in the kitchen, not just for tasting the food first, but also to learn, all those smells and flavours always intrigued him and he was a strong believer that, one who loves to eat should know how it's made, that way one could appreciate what one is eating.

"Oh! Interesting, so in whose kitchen have you worked in the past" enquired the old man, "I grew up in Hastinapur and I sometimes got to work in the Royal kitchen there, later I moved to Indraprasth and worked there in the Kitchen too" answered Vallaba.

"You seem to have some experience working in the Royal kitchens. You must be familiar then with the royal cuisine, could you tell me what would you do differently to make this halwa appeal to Royalty?" asked the old man. "I would add Kesar in the milk before adding it to halwa, I would also use a little gulabjal and add dry fruits, this will enhance the flavor with a slight rose fragrance" Vallaba answered with eyes sparkling as if he is cooking it right now.

"I am impressed, not just by your answer but also by the passion I see and feel in your words" said the old man, "Now here is my proposition for you, how would you like to work in the Royal Kitchen?" he offered. Vallaba was taken by surprise, he did not see this coming. "It would be my honour" said Vallaba and took the old man's blessings. "Meet me in the Palace kitchen tomorrow" he said giving Vallaba an entry pass.

Vallaba recollected his encounter with the old man which had led him here. The Royal Kitchen was a big semi open courtyard, with tons of food items used in cooking and of course utensils. The smell of spices, the sounds of the water boiling, the knife slicing,  all of them were heaven to Vallaba.

The old man showed him around  and then dropped a bomb shell on Vallaba "Son I am not offering you an assistant's position but I am offering you my position, I am the head chef at this royal kitchen of King Virat" he continued "You see I have been planning to go on a char dham yatra and it will take a year for me to finish this yatra and I want you to take my position till I return", this was the second shock Vallaba received in a day, the old man seems to enjoy surprising him thought Vallaba.

"But Sir" Vallaba wanted to object because he had no clue what this Royal family liked or disliked and serving a Royalty always comes with a risk, if they don't like anything they could simply order your head off thought Vallaba.

"No buts my boy,  if I didn't see potential in you, I wouldn't have offered you this position. I have been observing you since past few days, you have talent and I  will teach you everything I know before I leave" assured the old man.

Vallaba nodded in agreement and felt the burden the old man put on him by showing him so much faith, he cannot let the old man down. "I will make you proud" he finally said agreeing to the old man's offer.