My favourite things: Zorawar Kalra

The restaurateur and founder of Farzi Café won the GQ Man of the Year 2017 award in India this month

Zorawar Kalra. Courtesy Farzi Cafe
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My favourite city is Dubai because it is a place that has something for everyone. It has some of the finest dining destinations, amazing places for children, great opportunities for business and a welcoming culture, unlike any other.

My favourite person would have to be my father, because of the sheer sense of responsibility and dedication that he has towards Indian food, which I have absorbed genetically from him.

My favourite book is Business @ the Speed of Thought, co-authored by Bill Gates. It gave me insights into the mind of one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time and also helped in improving my own management style to some extent.

I went on my best gastronomic journey in the mid-1990s. My family and I went on a road trip across Scotland and Wales, and we stayed at nine bed and breakfasts along the way. It was an amazing experience because we got to try farm-to-fork food for the first time, long before the term even existed; the fresh flavours are still very prevalent in my mind.

Apart from outstanding restaurant meals, I think a simple home-cooked meal really hits the spot, such as a goat curry and rice on a Sunday evening.

The time that I get to spend with my kids is the best part of my day. I usually travel a lot, but on the days that I am home, I take them to our club where they enjoy playing tennis, running around in the open and swimming.

I have various brands in my wardrobe, but my favourite pieces would be the Nehru jackets that are custom-made by my favourite designer Ashish Soni. I truly enjoy them, because they are unique and designed in a way that they fit beautifully and are extremely comfortable.

The best advice I have ever received is: "Figure out something that you would do for free and then find a way to make money from it." If you don't enjoy doing something, you will not excel at it and you will burn out very quickly. You have to do what you love.

I like collecting cars and video games. Driving is the ultimate thrill for me. It's a sense of freedom and a complete stress-buster. I enjoy video games because, again, they are an escape from reality and help me relax.

I am addicted to coffee and my favourite treat has to be my double espresso in the morning. That first cup puts a lot of energy back into to my system and enables me to jump-start my day.

Time is life's greatest luxury. It lets you stop and look at things from a new perspective and gives you the opportunity to spend time with your loved ones. It helps you prioritise.

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