India, Sept. 28 -- For Chef Ajay Chopra, food is as much about flavour and tradition as it is about technique. From his first memorable creation, murgh ki potli, to his love for dim sums and Indian regional cuisine, his food journey has been diverse. In an exclusive interview with HT Lifestyle, he opens up about his inspirations, comfort food, umami and the Indian dishes he believes deserve more attention. (Also read: Chef Kunal Kapur shares simple rice trick that can take your homemade fried rice from sticky to 'wok-worthy' )

For Chef Ajay, cooking is a journey shaped by curiosity, mentorship and a deep appreciation for flavour. His passion began in college, when he participated in a chef's competition and created one of his first moder...