When it comes to love, few couples in India set a standard quite like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. Married since December 2017, the couple has been celebrated for their stylish appearances, intimate celebrations, and evident camaraderie. From a romantic ceremony in Tuscany to receptions in Delhi and Mumbai, Virat and Anushka have consistently exemplified couple-goals both on and off social media. But as it turns out, the couple’s taste in food is just as refined and playful as their personal style.

Celebrity chef Harsh Dixit, known for serving some of Bollywood’s biggest names including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, and Athiya Shetty, as well as top athletes like KL Rahul, recently shared a fascinating story about the couple’s anniversary dinner. According to Dixit, keeping things creative and memorable is a key part of his role as a private chef.

“You have to keep things interesting,” Chef Harsh explained in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India. He recounted the anniversary of Virat and Anushka in December 2019, revealing that he had prepared a unique twist on traditional Vietnamese Pho — a dish that is typically far from vegan. “For Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s anniversary, I made Pho, but with a twist,” he said.

Traditional Vietnamese Pho generally features chicken or beef broth, making it incompatible with vegan diets. At the time, both Virat and Anushka were eating gluten-free, so Chef Harsh adapted the recipe using rice noodles, which are naturally gluten-free and traditional in Pho. But the real surprise lay in the playful incorporation of “snakes” — not real ones, of course, but a clever culinary pun.

Vietnamese cuisine occasionally incorporates snake in forms such as snake meat or snake wine. Drawing inspiration from this, Chef Harsh decided to create a vegan-friendly version using snake gourd as the main ingredient. “So, how about serving ‘snakes’ to vegans?” he quipped. The snake gourd was stuffed with a combination of peanuts, coconut, tofu, and a hint of fresh coriander, then carefully smoked to enhance flavor.

To complement the dish, Harsh added water chestnuts, enoki mushrooms, and fresh chillies, all simmered in a fragrant lemongrass, ginger, and coriander root broth. A drizzle of chilli oil provided an optional layer of heat for those who preferred a spicier bite. The resulting dish was not only visually intriguing but also rich in texture and taste — a perfect blend of creativity and respect for dietary preferences.

“The idea was to have fun while staying within the dietary boundaries,” Harsh explained. “That’s what being a private chef is about. You’re not just cooking food; you’re crafting an experience.” Indeed, for Virat and Anushka, the dinner was about more than just eating. It was about enjoying a playful, thoughtful, and unique dining experience that reflected both their personalities and the intimacy of the celebration.

Chef Harsh’s inventive approach underscores a broader trend in private dining for high-profile clients, where meals are tailored not just to taste but to storytelling, presentation, and engagement. In this case, the Vietnamese Pho became more than a dish; it became a conversation starter, a symbol of playfulness, and a celebration of culinary ingenuity — all while adhering to the couple’s vegan and gluten-free dietary requirements.

Anushka and Virat’s anniversary dinners have historically reflected their penchant for private, meaningful celebrations. Unlike grand public displays, these moments are intimate, personalized, and crafted with thoughtfulness. Chef Harsh Dixit’s ‘snake gourd Pho’ exemplifies this approach, marrying creativity with care and ensuring that even a playful idea like serving “snakes” can be transformed into an elegant, diet-friendly gourmet experience.

The story also highlights the versatility required of celebrity chefs who cater to high-profile clients. It’s not enough to follow standard recipes; chefs must innovate, consider dietary restrictions, anticipate visual appeal, and align with the personalities of their guests. Chef Harsh’s ability to turn a traditional meat-based dish into a vegan-friendly, flavorful, and fun culinary experience illustrates the fine balance between artistry, nutrition, and entertainment that defines elite private dining.

For fans of Virat and Anushka, this anecdote adds yet another layer to their public image — not just as a glamorous couple but as individuals who enjoy humor, creativity, and thoughtful experiences in their personal lives. From their fitness routines to their dietary choices and now to their playful anniversary dinners, the couple continues to inspire admiration for their lifestyle choices, balance, and attention to meaningful details.

In conclusion, Chef Harsh Dixit’s innovative vegan Pho with “snakes” is more than a quirky culinary anecdote; it’s a glimpse into the way food can be intertwined with celebration, intimacy, and personal expression. For Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, it wasn’t just about dining; it was about creating a memorable experience that reflected their shared journey, dietary preferences, and sense of humor. And for culinary enthusiasts and fans alike, it serves as a reminder that great cooking is as much about storytelling and creativity as it is about flavor.

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