'I explored different tastes, flavours and cooking techniques'

1 The relaunch of Patiala in Dubai
The re-launch of Patiala as my own baby was definitely one of the highlights of my year, as it is my first venture in Dubai and I'm excited to see how the Middle Eastern market receives the restaurant and the new menu. We're bringing a level of classic and traditional Indian food that goes beyond the norm of Indian fare that we're so used to seeing and eating. People haven't seen this kind of food apart from maybe their moms' or grandparents' kitchens. It's different from the predictable chicken tikka and kebabs and naan.
2 Travelling for my travel show
Filming for my travel show Pickle Nation was a great experience as I got to travel all around India and discover amazing pickle recipes and secrets I had never known before. I also learnt so much about farming and agriculture during our trips that crisscrossed the country.
3 Thunder Down Under
I drove all around Australia's New South Wales on a culinary trip, which was fascinating, as I have never explored Australian food and culinary traditions before. It was a remarkable experience, especially since I love driving and the open roads and I could savour my love for food and driving all at the same time.
4 Flying high with Lufthansa
Probably one of the biggest highlights for me, in 2015, was crafting a menu specially for Lufthansa as their star chef. Just knowing that your recipes are being served onboard a major airline, where people from different nationalities and with different culinary traditions get to eat your food as they fly to their destinations is an amazing feeling!
5 Looking for America
Another great highlight of the year that's just about to end was travelling through the length and breadth of the United States of America for my show Foodie Comes to America and filming there. Exploring all the different taste and flavours and cooking techniques was an incredible experience that I will fondly remember in times to come.
Looking forward: Plans for 2016
Patiala by Kunal Kapur is high on my list of plans for 2016, with the aim to get a best restaurant award; 2016 will hopefully also be the year I launch two cookbooks! - of course, I will plan to spend a lot more time with my family and focus on living a healthy, full life! - As told to Rohit Nair
Kunal is chef and co-owner of Patiala by Kunal Kapur in Souk Al Bahar, Dubai. He is best known as the host and judge of MasterChef India, My Yellow Table, Pickle Nation and Foodie Comes to America.
THE YEAR OF LIVING gloriously: Till December 29, Khaleej Times will run a series on people who define the ethos of the UAE:  creative, adventurous, enterprising - everything that tags this place as being a great melting pot of talent and spirit.