ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo is set to host “Heir to the Flame” as part of its renowned Apprentice Series. The event will feature Chef J.P. Singh of Bukhara, ITC Maurya, who will join his son, Chef Naivedya Singh, the Senior Sous Chef of Peshawri at ITC Ratnadipa. Together, they will present the living legacy of North Indian frontier cuisine from January 23 to February 1 at Peshawri.
This showcase traces the traditions that have shaped Peshawri back to its iconic predecessor, Bukhara, one of the world’s most celebrated Indian restaurants. While Bukhara remains exclusive to ITC Maurya, its culinary approach has been embraced globally through Peshawri and Royal Afghan restaurants across the ITC Hotels portfolio. The father-son duo will offer diners at Peshawri an authentic experience of tandoor-led cooking, featuring heirloom recipes and signature preparations that have defined Bukhara for generations.
At the heart of this legacy is Chef J.P. Singh, widely regarded as a pivotal figure in Indian cuisine, who has led Bukhara at ITC Maurya for over three decades. His kitchen has served numerous global leaders, including Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Tony Blair, and David Cameron, cementing Bukhara’s reputation as a standard-bearer for authenticity. At Peshawri, the menu showcases Chef J.P. Singh’s signature style, focusing on slow-cooked specialties such as Dal Bukhara, live-fire kebabs, and breads baked against clay oven walls.
Commenting on the collaboration, Chef J.P. Singh, Senior Chef Culinaire, Bukhara, remarked, “Bukhara was never about reinvention, but about preserving authenticity. Seeing those values carried forward at Peshawri Colombo by my son is profoundly meaningful. It is a reminder that this journey is not only about food but about passing on responsibility, discipline, and respect for the craft.”
Chef Naivedya Singh expressed that hosting his father in Colombo is a defining moment in his own journey, allowing guests to experience the lineage, rigor, and soul of North Indian cuisine as it was intended.
The Peshawri experience, part of the Apprentice Series Edition, underscores ITC Ratnadipa’s commitment to bringing globally significant culinary stories to Sri Lanka. Featuring a father-son duo united by tradition and technique, the event aims to enhance awareness of Peshawri and reinforce its status as the island’s home of authentic frontier cuisine.
