I have known Chris Kane and her husband, Russel Kane, for many years now. Chris hails from a family that was in the food catering business, so cooking was woven into her life and, shall we say destiny, from the very beginning. No surprise therefore that she took to it during the pandemic, after having spent many years in the diamond jewelry industry – and now she along with her husband and three daughters are running a full-time specialized food catering business from their home. For Chris, it is a combination of her two favorite passions – food and singing – coming together. So, as she cooks, she sings, and it is evident that the songs she sings while she cooks are the secret ingredient that makes her cooking so special. Read on to learn more about Chris – the Singing Homechef who spoke to me on a relaxed Mumbai afternoon.
1) I believe that you learned the art of cooking from your dad. Tell us about the kind of cooking that he specialized in, and some unforgettable lessons from your early day.
My father cooked every Sunday and it was always a very special meal. Sometimes a Salli Botti, other times a steak with potatoes and caramelized onions, chow noodles that had a meat feast mix, all in all, a wonderfully festive meal far from the frugal meals of the week. We are a family of 8 siblings and growing up our parents taught us to share. Ours was probably the only family who shared a single leftover fruit or dessert 10 ways…
2) Have you changed the style of cooking from what your father taught you? Added your own touch to it? What new cuisines have you picked up recently?
I learned cooking from my mum as well as my dad. My mum taught me the importance of balance in taste and my dad taught me the importance of introducing variety even if it meant using leftovers – something had to be done to make even the mundane dish stand out.
In my career of 28 years as a professional in the diamond jewelry industry, I have traveled across many countries to work. I have been fortunate to taste several cuisines like French, Italian, German, Thai, Japanese, etc. I love experimenting with different cuisines and have adapted this to my menus. So yes, I continue to follow the food principles my parents taught me but have changed the style of cooking.
For example, recently I made Khao Suey, Ramen (5-hour broth), and Spare Ribs, and the response has been tremendously good.
3) Tell us a little about your business – do you cater to individuals or families, do you take on party catering contracts?
We completed 4 months on 11th Dec. It has been such a fantastic journey of growth and relationships with individual customers and families from all across Mumbai. In October, we started the concept of online partying with food provided and delivered by us to the guest list pre-planned by the host. Recently we started theme parties and the hosts and guests have been so elated with their experience.
The secret is that Russell and I have always enjoyed entertaining pre-pandemic. I cooked a lot for our own house parties. Everyone made it a point to come hungry to our parties because they knew we would always cook up a storm.
Even now I treat every party order that I take as if it’s my own party and conceptualize and create dishes accordingly.
4) Tell us about your most memorable new dish that you made from scratch. Do you take advice and guidance from your family when you try to create a new dish?
Recently I made Khao Suey. I was amazed at the reaction. We sold many more portions than expected, and everyone found it outstanding.
I absolutely rely on my husband Russell and my 3 girls for their opinion. They taste everything I make. I am very clear with them that they just can’t say that they love it just because I am their wife/ mum, they have to give honest feedback and they do.
5) What kind of songs do you sing while you cook? Do you have specific songs for specific kinds of cooking?
I sing a lot of retroes, Abba, Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Chicago, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Whitney Houston (I cried a lot when she passed)
When I have a very hectic cook, the music has to be fast, rock-n-roll sort of peppy because it makes me move faster and takes away the stress of the cook.
6) Tell us about how your family supports you in this family business.
My husband and 3 girls are an extension of me. We work well together.
Due to the pandemic, we decided not to use external help so each of us has a whole set of tasks cut out for them.
We use free POS (point of sale) software. Order entries, kots (basically the order placed by the customer which is sent to the kitchen for preparation of the food), billing, delivery, courier coordination are all done by Russell, in addition to also purchasing, packing, filling in for washing if it’s required (heck, he does more work than me but don’t tell him I said that :-))) The girls have their own tasks, one is in charge of dishes, the other wipes and puts them away, my eldest daughter is an absolute dream sous chef.
7) How has the pandemic affected or changed your food business? Do you see a change in your client’s food habits and preferences?
We use the tagline comfort foods and that’s exactly what everyone is looking for. Whether it’s a delicious pot pie, or a homemade pizza, quiche, pizza stuffed bread, decadent dessert – this pandemic has taught everyone that life is too short to constantly stress overweight loss and food restrictions. Portion size is the secret and moderation is the key.
8) Do you watch food shows on TV? If yes, then what are your top 3 favorite shows?
- Masterchef Australia
- Nigella – Who doesn’t love her?
- Most of the cake shows
9) Tell us the top 3 dishes you like the most to eat? Besides you, who else is the best cook in your family?
Crab curry with steamed rice, Chicken Moile with browned rice, and Pork Khuddi curry.
My eldest daughter Kathryn is a good cook.
10) Do your kids plan to carry on the business as you did from your dad?
I wonder…
11) What are your future plans for the business?
In addition to our current dinner service, we would definitely like to concentrate on becoming a theme party kitchen where we conceptualize and create food items based on a theme chosen by the host.
After we come out of this pandemic, we will look at expanding our kitchen.
12) Which areas of Mumbai do you deliver? If someone wants to order from you, can you share your contact details?
We deliver all across Mumbai.
Whatsapp: 9820050465
Instagram @thesinginghomechef
13) Besides you, who else in your family is into singing or playing music?
Two of my girls play the piano at grade level all of us are good singers. Russell plays the guitar.
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