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Legendary chef Imtiaz Qureshi, the man behind the success of ITC Hotels passed away this morning (February 16, 2024). The heart-breaking news was shared by the celebrity chef Kunal Kapur who took to his social media accounts to inform the world about the incident. Chef Imtiaz Qureshi, who had his roots in Lucknow, was 93 at the time of his sad demise.
Chef Kunal Kapur wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter), “With great sadness and a heavy heart, I regret to inform you of the heartbreaking news of the passing of Padma Shri Chef Mr Imtiaz Qureshi, who departed from this world earlier this morning.” Remembering the culinary contributions of Chef Imtiaz Qureshi, Chef Kunal further added, “His culinary legacy and contributions will forever be remembered and cherished. May his soul find eternal peace and may his memory continue to inspire us all.”
Anurag Katriar, restaurateur and founder of Indigo Hospitality Pvt. Ltd, also used the social media platform X to express his condolences to the departing soul. “End of an era,” he stated. "Just heard that the legendary Master Chef, Imtiaz Qureshi, the man behind Dum Pukht & Bukhara & many other iconic places, is no more. He was undoubtedly the original rockstar of the Indian Culinary World! RIP Chef!" Anurag tweeted.
The 93-year-old Chef Imtiaz Qureshi was born in Lucknow on February 2, 1931. Besides his contributions to the ITC Hotels, Chef Imtiaz Qureshi is also known for his renowned restaurants like Dum Pukht and Bukhara in New Delhi, giving Indian cuisine an identity on the global stage of culinary world.
His love for cooking grew under the guardianship of his uncle and was further polished during his tenure at Krishna Caterers. Here, Chef Imtiaz Qureshi served the Indian Army during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Then in the year 1979, he joined hands with ITC Hotels and made history with his innovative culinary creations.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016, recognizing his significant contributions to the culinary world. Throughout his memorable career, Chef Imtiaz got the privilege of catering at many prestigious events such as banquets hosted by the Prime Minister and the President of India. He has also collaborated with chefs from around the world, including Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay. His dedication and expertise in the field of culinary art will always remain in the heart of people.
