Chef Ranveer Brar has a simple piece of advice for anyone who wants fresher food at home: go back to the vegetable market. Speaking to IANS in Andheri West, Mumbai, during promotions of his new streaming quiz show 'Yess Chef', the chef and actor said shopping locally is the first step to quality on the dining table.
"I believe that first of all, do your own shopping from local markets. That is very important if we talk about freshness. All of us have stopped going to the vegetable market. The 10-minute apps have changed the culture of shopping from vegetable markets. When you see fresh vegetables on the whole cart, you understand the value of fresh food. Even if you get a small packet of cabbage, you don't enjoy it," he said.
Brar did not dismiss delivery apps altogether. "I think we should continue. Last minute apps are fine in an emergency, but it is very important to go to the market and buy fresh vegetables," he said.
Cook Less, Worry Less
His second tip was about quantity. "If we talk about freshness, I feel that if we make as much food as we want, then there will be less things in the refrigerator. And if there are less things in the refrigerator, then there will be less tension in the mind that we have to use leftover food. So, the refrigerator is equivalent to the tension in the mind."
Why It Matters: A Chef and a Regulator, Same Concern
Brar's comments echo a question raised recently by Maharashtra's top food regulator. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has pointed out that e-commerce, dark stores and cloud kitchens did not exist in their current form when the Food Safety and Standards Act was passed in 2006, and has asked whether these new business models need their own regulation.
Brar speaks from a freshness point of view, while Mundhe speaks from a regulatory one. But both are pointing at the same shift: more of India's food now reaches homes through apps and warehouses that customers never see. Brar's advice, to see and choose vegetables yourself when you can, is one simple way consumers can take back some control.
Maharashtra's Food Safety Push
The remarks come amid heightened food safety enforcement in Maharashtra. Since taking charge in May 2026, Mundhe has overseen statewide inspections targeting food adulteration, unhygienic establishments, illegal products and violations across the supply chain.
The campaign has focused especially on milk adulteration, with synthetic milk units uncovered and tighter checks ordered across dairies, distributors and retailers. The FDA has also acted against eateries and manufacturers breaking safety norms. More recently, according to IANS, Maharashtra banned the manufacture and sale of artificial cheese, with strict action promised against products misrepresented as dairy paneer.
Simple Habits for Fresher Food
Drawing from Brar's advice:
- Visit your local vegetable market when possible, and use quick-delivery apps mainly for urgent needs.
- Buy and cook in quantities you need, to reduce leftovers.
- Keep your refrigerator lighter, so food is used fresh rather than stored for days.
About Ranveer Brar
Brar is one of India's best-known chefs and television personalities. He returned as a judge on MasterChef India alongside Kunal Kapur and Vikas Khanna in its latest season, which premiered in January 2026. He has also acted, appearing in The Buckingham Murders with Kareena Kapoor Khan.
Ranveer Brar's message is not anti-technology; it is pro-freshness. Apps can save time in a pinch, but for everyday cooking, he believes nothing replaces seeing, touching and choosing your own vegetables.
With inputs from IANS.
