Mr. Osama Jalali – A seasoned food writer , researcher , Historian turned Chef who has reviewed more than 2000 restaurants was born and brought up in the by-lanes of Purani Dilli but his parental roots belong to a princely estate in Uttar Pradesh called Rampur, famous for its unique Rampura cuisine.

Osama contributes for various publications and has traveled the lengths and breadths of the country to research on dying regional Indian cuisine. He has worked extensively on dying recipes and runs a group named Lost Recipes of India.

Mr Jalali has a family culinary legacy and works with his mother Ms.Nazish Jalali & wife Ms. Nazia Khan. Jalali’s travel as a family and the trio are known to specialize is curating regional food festivals across the globe. Osama’s fascination for food was sparked at a very young age when he would watch his mother cook meals in huge deghs for feasts organized at their home.

His curiosity was rewarded with secret techniques used by the royal khansamas of Delhi and Rampur which further broadened his culinary vocabulary. Over the years, Osama has not restricted himself to just writing but also loves to work inside the kitchen.

He specializes in curating Rampuri, Shahjahani and Lost Recipes of Mughal era menus for private Daawats and has kept the Mughlai cuisine flag flying high. Jalali’s have cooked for various state heads and have been featured on numerous food shows on television.

Dr Pushpesh Pant – Padamshri Food Historian says “Osama Jalali is the natural inheritor to the rich culinary legacy. His grandfather was the head Mufti in the Fatehpuri Mosque who had performed the dastarbandi when Shahi Imam Abdullah Bukhari was installed in office.

His father graduated as a doctor in the first batch of students from the medical college set up by legendary Hakim and nationalist Ajmal Khan. He practiced medicine lifelong in the walled city called shehar lovingly by the residents. Many of the gifted karigars , khansamas and their families were his patients. It is from these khansamas and acquaintances that his mother Nazish Jalali collected rare recipes.

Prior to marriage Nazish Jalali learned from the khansamas of the Nawab of Rampur. The Jalali’s trace their ancestral roots to Rampur that lies halfway between Delhi and Lucknow. It was this principality that provided refuge and patronage to master chefs, musicians and painters whenever Delhi was ravaged by invaders and finally lost its Imperial luster after the tumultuous aftermath of 1857.

Before his ancestors migrated to Delhi they had imbibed a taste of Royal Rampur – a harmonious blend of Robust Rohila and Delicate Awadhi temperaments. Osama’s family is exceptionally gifted to prepare and serve food to their guests who are truly blessed “.

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