NAAR means fire. And, true to its name, all meals are cooked on sustainable wood fires in an open kitchen that has a small, enthusiastic and proud crew. Almost all of them have travelled from world cities to find their spot in this food revolution being helmed by Prateek and his partners. There is something professorial about how Prateek leads them to the garden patches in the valley that the restaurant sits perched above. He knows retention is tough – the location is bound to get the better of each of them at some point. But while he has their attention, one can see how selflessly he invests in making sure they turn up, listen, learn and move out in better form than when they arrived. For that has been his journey too. He consistently listens, learns and moves. For now, he’s back in the mountains, where he was born. The challenges each day keep him engaged, even triumphant with small victories. He knows he’s adding to a legacy that started in his mother’s kitchen. He pays a silent homage to every restaurant he’s worked in. And values each guest, even when some of them seriously ask him – yeh one by two ho sakta hai? As for the restaurant NAAR – it is sold out almost every day. People arrive from all over for the experience. And return for the hospitality. And 32 DECEMBER 2025 • FRESH.DAILYPIONEER.COM the meal – each course is flawless, unique, locally sourced and telling a story. The last meal I had there was on 24 November 2025. It was a collaboration with Chef Chalee Kader from Bangkok. The meal was orchestrated with precision to showcase what NAAR has grown into – an international standard for India to be proud of and the world to experience. From a laksa created with hand-pulled noodles and tempura goat’s brain, to delicate slivers of wild boar grilled to moist perfection, seasoned with thecha made from Bird’s Eye chilli, to a curry duck pulao... winter never stood a chance before such a warm serve. Appropriately, it was also NAAR’s second anniversary. If this sounds like a gushing piece, let me clarify that I have held back on the numerous occasions when Prateek has been at the receiving end of scathing feedback from me. There have been meals that were clumsy, even lazy. There have been times when he’s played to the galleries and forfeited his own voice in the kitchen. But there’s never been a time when he hasn’t listened. To Prateek Sadhu, I say today and always, YES CHEF! Pics Courtesy: @pankaj_anand
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