I enjoy my quiet time at the Gurudwara on Baisakhi, having langar and praying with my family: Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi

Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, who is currently seen in Laughter Chefs, shares how Baisakhi is an important festival and he always makes it a point to celebrate. He said,”It is a reminder of my roots and faith in the Khalsa Panth that was established by Guru Govind Singhji. It gives us a strong identity and reminds us to carry that identity with pride, faith and honesty. I was born into this tradition, and I believe it’s my responsibility to carry it forward with respect. So, for me, Baisakhi is all about embracing my identity and carrying the legacy forward."

Baisakhi also marks the harvest season, a time of change and celebration. It’s a harvest festival where people celebrate a good crop. Sharing his memory of Baisakhi in Punjab as a child he shared, "I remember in Punjab there are old houses in villages and special food is cooked and people exchange gifts. We enjoy the family tradition of going to the Gurdwara together. My father made sure we wore new clothes for the day. It was like a ritual. We would offer prayers, and then enjoy the langar. Even in today’s modern times, the meaning of Baisakhi remains the same for me. Yes, life has become busy now, but I still make it a point to visit the Gurdwara before starting my work. I offer my prayers and sit there for some quiet time. And if I’m not caught up with a hectic schedule, I stay longer at the Gurdwara, have langar with my family, and then return home."

Ask the chef what he enjoys cooking during Baisakhi and he said, "Honestly, there’s nothing very fancy or different that we cook. For us, our celebration is all about going to the Gurdwara, listening to kirtan, having langar, and then coming back home. On that day, the langar at the Gurdwara is special with delicious sabzi, kheer and other dishes. Since Baisakhi is a harvest festival, we have created our own little traditions at home using fresh produce from the farms. Over time, we have started cooking dishes using seasonal grains. One of my favorites is gehu ka bhuna halwa - a kind of whole wheat halwa that’s rich and warm. We make puri, chana and a special masaledar sabzi. It's simple but cooked with a lot of love. At home, I have never really seen my family prepare any special dishes just for Baisakhi. It’s more about the feeling, the faith, and the tradition. If there is something special, it’s the kheer that is often made - a simple, sweet dish that we really enjoy as part of the celebration.”