India, June 3 -- What's the difference between traditional Indian chefs and top western chefs? I would imagine that there are many differences. But here is the big one: Secrecy.

Sharing is not part of the Indian tradition when it comes to professional kitchens. Most great Indian chefs of a certain generation will never reveal their recipes. North Indian and Avadhi chefs are the best example.

The most famous Avadhi chef of our times was the late Imtiaz Qureshi. Such was his influence in the decades he spent with ITC hotels that many, if not most, of the Avadhi dishes served at upmarket Indian restaurants (the biryani in particular) here and abroad follow Imtiaz's lead. They are rarely as tasty as Imtiaz's originals because not everyone h...