Pune,13 October 2025 : Renowned for its genuine Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) cuisine, this establishment excels in Biryanis and has captured the admiration of Punekars. It has also garnered a following among numerous celebrities throughout the state, including prominent Bollywood figures, the iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar, as well as several cricket legends and influential political figures.
Harshal Potnis, 54, the founder of Potnis Biryani from CKP’s Kitchen, describes a serving of his signature biryani as a culinary masterpiece, featuring layers of the world's longest grain basmati rice, succulent meat, and a perfectly balanced spice blend. He personally oversees the sourcing of ingredients, ensuring that every masala is made in-house.
Potnis, whose establishment serves nearly 2,000 people daily, states, 'We use 25 spices to create our masalas. All our ingredients are carefully selected, which is how we maintain our quality,' he adds with quiet pride.
The biryani is presented in a uniquely crafted handi that preserves its rich fragrance and simplifies reheating. The flavor is so beloved that food enthusiasts from Mumbai frequently dispatch individuals to Pune to collect parcels from the Warje central kitchen. However, this successful culinary empire is built on a foundation of passion, determination, and intent.
Starting to cook at 12 and earning Lata Mangeshkar's approval
Harshal's connection with food started at the age of eight. Each Sunday, he would join his father to purchase meat for the family's special weekend meal. 'Those trips taught me how to find the finest ingredients. There are various methods for selecting different kinds of fish, and I learned how to identify and acquire the best,' he remembers.
At 12 years old, he started cooking with his grandmother and mother, feeling proud to simply stir the pots of bubbling curries. By the time he was 18, he had taken on the role of the official cook for family events with more than 60 attendees. 'In the CKP community, we have large family gatherings and an even greater passion for food. Preparing meals for my family gave me the confidence to begin cooking professionally.'
Despite having a background in medicine, Harshal's true passion lay in cooking. In his 20s, he started a small home kitchen with the support of his mother and wife, handling all tasks from buying ingredients to cooking and delivering meals on his own. Just six months later, fate intervened when Lata Mangeshkar tried his food and recommended it to others. 'After Lata Didi praised my cooking, my father finally supported my choice to pursue this path. It was a significant moment for me,' Harshal reveals.
The business transitioned from a small home kitchen to a rented location, and by 2014, it expanded to a vast 2,500 square foot area in Warje, where three kitchens operate simultaneously.
Flavor that touches the soul:
Nowadays, Potnis' biryani is enjoyed by the Kapoors, Khans, Devgns, and even cricket legends. 'Whenever (MS) Dhoni is in Pune, we deliver our biryani to him. Renowned artists like Taufiq Qureshi are fond of it,' Harshal remarks with a smile, noting that Rahul Dravid is also a huge admirer.
