jimmy sheirgill

The first thing I have when I wake up is: Chhaas or buttermilk. It lines your stomach throughout the day. Later, I have my breakfast, which comprises 3-4 egg whites, toast and a glass of cold coffee.

I prefer eating: Vegetarian food. I don’t eat non-vegetarian every day. It’s a myth that Punjabis are essentially chicken eaters. We relish good vegetarian food.

My lunch: On days when I am shooting, I carry a tiffin of home-cooked food for lunch. I generally carry brown rice. There’s also some chicken curry made without oil or paneer made with greens, Chinese style. A heavy meal makes you feel sleepy after lunch so I prefer to keep it light.

My favourite vegetables are: Bhindi, aloo, matar.

My favourite beverage: Cold coffee, though it makes me put on weight. At one time I would have eight glasses of cold coffee everyday.

I snack on: When I feel hungry in the evenings, I have a protein shake or coffee. At times I binge on just salads and once in a while, I eat seven-eight vada pavs.

My favourite desserts: I have a sweet tooth. I have a weakness for gulab jamun, caramel custard, phirni.

Food on the Yash Raj sets of Mohabbatein, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai and Hum Tum was: Amazing. Since Yash Uncle is very fond of good food, the food on his sets is amazing. We would all sit like one big family and eat together.

My favourite restaurants: In Delhi I love food at Moti Mahal in Greater Kailash Part 1 and the Bukhara at Mauryas. I also eat a lot of gol guppas and gulab jamuns. Delhi is the place for foodies in winter. In Mumbai, I visit Peshawari at the Marathas. I also frequent Gazalee, Zodiac Grill and Shamiana (the coffee shop) at the Taj. Abroad, I recommend Penang (New York) for Malaysian food and Tex Mex (London) for Mexican food.

My favourite cuisine: When I go to a restaurant, I like Mughlai, Chinese and Thai, in that order.

In a restaurant, I give more importance to: Good food, rather than ambience. I have often eaten in dhabas.

My culinary skills: I learnt cooking during my mountaineering days. We were taught survival strategies which included making tea, coffee, a meal of chicken, vegetable or a dal. But now I don’t get the time to cook. My wife is a cooking expert. We have a good cook too.

My idea of a romantic meal: Good food, a glass of wine, a quiet place, the rain, palm trees. The Taj, Goa, in the monsoons fits the description.