I THINK IT WAS 2003 I WAS THE CHEF FOR FINE DINING RESTAURANT. THAT DAY WE WERE OPENED FOR LUNCH BECAUSE OF VIP LUNCH.STANDING IN MY SHOW KITCHEN I SAW AN OLD MAN WITH SILKY WHITE BEARD WALKING INTO MY RESTAURANT WITH FEW OLD LADIES, I KNEW THE GUY, HE WAS BAREFOOT WITH NICE SMILE AND GLOW ON HIS FACE.I MADE HIM GOSHT BIRYANI KNOWING HIS ROOTS WERE FROM HYDERABAD. I WENT UPTO HIM FOR HIS DINING EXPERIENCE HE SMILED AND SAID EXCELLENT----THAT WAS MAQBOOL FIDA HUSSAIN MY INSPIRATION. HE SIGNED AUTOGRAPH FOR ME ON THE COMMENT CARD WHICH I STILL KEEP CLOSER TO ME AND I THINK ITS THE TIME TO GET IT FRAMED AND PLACE IT ON MY WALL.MY SALUTE TO AN ARTIST.
