Actor Mammootty has always been a role model for many when it comes to fitness and age defying looks. However, not many know that it is Leneesh, a native of Vaikom and Mammootty's personal cook, who whips up delicious food that is packed with nutrients for the actor. He reveals the screen icon's unique diet and his favourite dishes.
Leneesh has been working as Mammootty's personal chef for last 10 years. He travels to different locations with the actor to serve good quality and healthy food. Besides, Leneesh has been running a catering unit called 'T K Cinema Mess' which supplies delicious food to various film locations in Kerala.
It was his decision to meet Mammootty immediately after he completed his culinary course that became a turning point in Leneesh's life and career. Now, having understood the unique tastes and preferences of stars, Leneesh is a busy chef who travels between locations making sure that these actors get customized meals that are healthy, tasty, and hygienic.
"I had enrolled for a cookery course in Kochi after completing pre degree as courses in hotel management were the trend then. However, I had no idea what to do after I completed the course. It was then that Appu who hails from my place and is close friends with Mammootty told me that the latter was looking for a personal cook and asked me whether I was interested. He took me to the location of the movie 'Bus Conductor' and introduced me to Mammootty. I was asked to join the next day itself. Mammootty already had a cook then and I joined as his assistant. I didn't have to look back ever since," says Leneesh.
Leneesh was then called to the location of Mammootty's next movie 'Balram vs Tharadas,' in Kozhikode. A special dish that Leneesh prepared using a crustacean that looks like clams made him a star on the sets. Leneesh then became a regular at all locations of Mammootty's films, cooking and serving delicious dishes to the screen icon.
After working for 10 years as Mammootty's personal cook, Leneesh asked the actor whether he could start a catering unit that served food for the crews at various locations. Mammootty didn't have to think twice before giving his nod for Leneesh's brilliant idea. Now, Leneesh regularly supplies food for actors Prithviraj, Fahad Faasil, and Kunchacko Boban at their locations.
Mammootty's diet
Leneesh says Mammootty is not someone who gorges on random food. He loves fish curries that are cooked with little spices and masala. The actor doesn't eat rice for lunch; instead he eats half a piece of puttu made with oats. However, he wants fish curry made with coconut mixture to go with the puttu. Mammootty doesn't eat fried fish.
Mullets, pearl spots, and grey mullets are his favourite fish. He likes anchovies curry made with coconut paste. Long beans 'mezhukkupuratty' and fresh salad tossed with some pepper powder are his favourites. He wouldn't eat anything with evening tea.
The actor prefers dosas made with wheat or oats for dinner, those too, not more than three. He likes to have slightly spicy chicken curry flavoured with fresh coconut milk with his dosas. He also has chutney with it. Mammootty then finishes his dinner with a bowl of hot mushroom soup. He loves hot black tea a few times a day when he is shooting. Mammootty insists that Leneesh not just cooks his food but serves it himself too. Leneesh says that the actor likes to give his comments on the food then and there.
Though Mammootty likes some food items, he doesn't eat them as he is very conscious about his nutrient intake. Beef and mutton are his favourites; however, the actor doesn't eat them regularly. Whenever he feels like enjoying some delicious biryani, he asks Leneesh to make it fresh. Mammootty is strict about his diet and eats only what is healthy and nourishing for him. He eats rice only occasionally. If there is a scrumptious sadya (feast) on the sets during Onam season, he would eat it only in small portions. Leneesh says that Mammootty could easily be made a role model when it comes to healthy food habits. Though Leneesh has assistants in the cinema mess to help him prepare delicious food for the stars, he personally cooks for Mammootty.
Mohanlal's favourite
It was on the location of the movie 'Kayamkulam Kochunni' that Leneesh prepared food for most number of people. He served tasty food to 400-450 crew members on a daily basis. When Kayamkulam Kochunni's filming was progressing at a location in Nelliyadi in Karnataka, Mammootty's 'Mamankam' was also being shot at a nearby location. As Leneesh had taken the contract to supply food for Kayamkulam Kochunni's crew first, he couldn’t commit Mamankam. However, Leneesh prepared Mammootty's food at the location of Kayamkulam Kochunni and sent it to the latter's location. It was during that time that Mohanlal reached the sets to essay a cameo role in Kayamkulam Kochunni. "Mammootty had specifically told me that I should prepare whatever Mohanlal likes," recalls Leneesh.
Location menu
There would usually be two items for breakfast. Puttu-dosa, idli-puri, idiyappam-ghee roast, appam-porotta, kallappam-wheat puttu are some of the dishes that are served for breakfast.
Besides, upma would be made for more than 30 people. There would be fish curry and fried fish for lunch. Special biryani would be served on the set once in a week.
