Legends of rotis in thousands, industrial-standard cooking, and a strictly vegetarian diet have been around for several years, with many an eyebrow raised at the sheer fertilizer-fueled hyperbole. But what lies behind the exaggerations is a setup that breeds discipline, regularity, and even a certain vintage reverence for grub. Antilia is not a hotel kitchen that runs on novelty. It is more of a scaled-up version of a typical Indian household, where sustenance, ceremony, and accuracy are as significant as opulence.
Antilia’s Kitchens Are Designed for Scale, Not Spectacle
Antilia has been reported to have multiple kitchens on different floors, which are meant for different purposes. There are kitchens meant for daily use and kitchens meant for guests, as well as areas meant for events and festivals. This setup ensures that food preparation takes place efficiently without straining a particular department.
Sources have suggested that the household has a considerable cooking staff trained in the art of preparing regional dishes from India. This is a significant workforce, but the meals are not subcontracted to a catering service. All meals are home-cooked within the household premises.
The thought is not excess for the sake of excess. It is that when there are relatives, guests, staff, and security personnel eating within the premises on a daily basis, the numbers are bound to swell. This is because Antilia is a sort of self-contained ecosystem.
WHY 4,000 ROTIS ARE MADE DAILY
The figure that garners attention is that of daily production of 4,000 rotis. The figure, although fluctuating with respect to a particular day, has a reason to do with logistics rather than indulgence.
"Rotis are the staple in most vegetarian meals," explains a source. "For Antilia, the rotis are made fresh a couple of times a day to suit different meal hours." The quantity, as revealed by DNA, is not limited to the Ambani household but includes domestic staff and visitors. The most significant aspect is that these rotis are not piled up. Freshness is a requirement, and extra is said to be donated, not trashed.
A Strictly Vegetarian Household
Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani are known to follow a vegetarian diet. The entire diet of the Ambani household is vegetarian, which applies to major gatherings that take place at the Ambani residence as well.
The cuisine served is centered on seasonal food, healthy eating, and typical Indian flavors. The use of onions and garlic is said to be constrained during religious times, reflecting Jain/Vaishnav tradition practiced by certain members of the family.
What is surprising is that even with the best cuisines from around the globe available to them, Ambani spreads continue to be entire domains of the Indian meal. In fact, a bowl of dall, sabzi, roti, and rice is far commoner than a platter of kimchi sushi rolls.
What is the typical daily menu?
The breakfast served at Antilia is known to be light but varied. The dishes that are available include idlis, poha, upma, dosa, fruits, and juices. The energy component is more emphasized, as the schedules of the members of the family are quite demanding.
The lunch meal is the most elaborate meal of the day. It consists of a variety of vegetables, lentils, rice variants, rotis, and yoghurt-based foods. In India, there are regional dishes that are served on a rotational basis throughout the week.
The dinner meal is less complicated, sometimes a scaled-down version of lunch. Soups, sautéed vegetables, and light bread are liked. Fried foods and sweets are a rarity, therefore enjoyed on special occasions.
Snacks, on the other hand, are treated with reverence. The preparation of chaat, dhokla, cut fruits, and Indian sweets takes place in between meals, especially when there are guests.
The Ambani Family’s Favourite Foods
Despite the magnitude, the likes of the family are quite earthy. Mukesh Ambani is known as a man who likes simple Gujarat cuisine. Dal, rice, and veggies are his comfort foods.
Nita Ambani is known to be very particular about her diet, with a predilection for homemade foods rather than rich cuisine. This is because Nita has been vocal about the need for a balance between taste and health, particularly when living in a situation where opulence can quickly translate to excess.
The young generation is said to favor a blend of Indian and international vegetarian dishes, although even in this, moderation is preferred to excess.
The Chefs Behind the Scenes
Running the kitchens at Antilia is a job that requires more than culinary skills; it also requires discipline. It is reported that the chefs who work at the residence are highly trained individuals with a lot of experience in Indian vegetable cuisine.
Although the actual numbers are never been confirmed, some reports indicate that the chefs’ salaries are similar to that of top hospitality experts in luxury hotels. In addition, there is a huge responsibility that comes with the position. This is a position that requires consistency more than creativity, and errors are not accepted.
The chefs are said to work on a rotational basis to ensure t
Food, Religion, and Rhythm
Religious practices have a very big impact on what is served in the meals. In festivals and during fasts, food is changed as per the traditions. Fasting foods, satvik dishes, and temple foods are prepared with utmost seriousness, as in preparing a banquet.
This is not a ritual that is merely acted out. It is a function of the fact that food, religion, and routine are inextricably bound within Indian households, irrespective of their economic backgrounds.hat fresh food is available at all times.
Antilia, the iconic 27-storey Mumbai residence of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, is one of the world's most expensive private homes (valued at around $2 billion). Towering at 173 meters with amenities like helipads, a snow room, theatre, and hanging gardens, it's maintained by a massive team of over 600 full-time staff – including security, gardeners, housekeepers, and chefs.The reason behind the staggering 4,000 rotis cooked daily? It's primarily to feed this enormous staff, many of whom live on-site with dedicated quarters. The high-tech kitchen uses modern machines and a team of professional chefs to efficiently prepare simple, wholesome Indian meals – aligning with the Ambanis' own preference for vegetarian staples like dal, rice, and roti (no extravagant gourmet fare here!).
