Kitchen Soundtracks: What Are Chefs Listening To While They Are Cooking Up Your Dinner?

Music and cooking…they are a match made in heaven, just like tea and ginger, a wink and a smile, and gin and tonic. Most kitchens have a soundtrack which is more than background noise. It's the very pulse that keeps the team invigorated from the first morning coffee to the last order of the day. We quizzed five chefs about their musical preferences in the kitchen. One thing’s for sure: if they are cooking, the music is on!

Manuel Olveira (Chef & Owner, La Loca Maria And La Panthera)

Music And Me

Music helps me relax and focus when I'm preparing. But once service starts, it’s just the sound of the kitchen. We need to hear each other clearly when orders are called out, and the kitchen needs to flow smoothly. 

My Kitchen Playlist

Hindi songs, a few indie tracks, and a bit of pop when someone’s trying to push through a long prep session. 

Playing On Loop

During prep, it's usually instrumental or classical vocal music. It helps me stay calm and focused before service kicks in. Then I switch to flamenco for its energy, emotion, and honesty. Flamenco pieces like Soy Gitano by Camarón de la Isla, Entre dos Aguas by Paco de Lucia, and Ahí Estás Tú by Chambao remind me of Spain and why I love doing what I do.

Niyati Rao (Head Chef & Partner, Nisa Experience)

Music And Me

Music makes us feel alive and jumpy, no matter how much the workload. It also makes our work go in a certain synchronicity, which I cannot completely explain. In my kitchen, we take turns to play our playlist, and we also Shazam new songs from one another’s playlist to add to our own. 

My Kitchen Playlist

It ranges from Mozart, Beethoven and Bollywood to Punjabi hits, Marathi songs, English R&B, hip hop and even death metal at times. A unifying love is Tame Impala, AR Rehman and Diljit.

Playing On Loop

Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean, Borderline by Tame Impala, Chura Liya Hain by R.D. Burman, and Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 21.

Hussain Shahzad (Executive Chef, Hunger Inc. Hospitality - Papa’s, The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro & Veronica’s)

Music And Me

Music helps bring a sense of clarity, streamlines our thinking and keeps us calm even when the pressure is high. When I am creating or in R&D mode, the music has to be soft and calming, as there is already so much internal chaos at that point. But during prep, once the creative heavy lifting is done, you want music that keeps your body moving, your energy high, and your focus sharp. 

My Kitchen Playlist

We Are Young by Fun helps you ease into the day. But as we get closer to prep and service, it’ll probably switch to something louder, faster, maybe even ridiculous, think cheesy Bollywood or early 2000s hip-hop. There’s no shame in the playlist game as long as it keeps us going.

Playing On Loop

Lose Yourself by Eminem, Can't Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue, Heatwaves by Glass Animals, Bam Bam by Sister Nancy, 5 Taara by Diljit Dosanjh, and Money Trees by Kendrick Lamar.

Sunil Jajoria (Executive Chef At Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur)

Music And Me

In my kitchen, the music is always on, and the playlist is as important as the spice box.

My Kitchen Playlist

It’s a spirited mix of Coke Studio jams and high-energy Bollywood tracks. And of course, like any good recipe, the playlist changes as per the mood, or sometimes, what’s cooking.

Playing On Loop

Ilahi by Pritam and Arijit Singh (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), Zinda by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Siddharth Mahadevan (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag), Phir Se Ud Chala by Mohit Chauhan (Rockstar), Liggi by Ritviz, I Like How It Feels by Enrique Iglesias, Hotel Room Service by Pitbull.

Lakhan Jethani (Executive Chef and Co-Founder, Mizu Izakaya)

Music And Me

I grew up around musicians, and when I was younger, I played the chromatic harp and the harmonica and even played in a band for a while. Around the age of 17 or 18, I had to make a choice between pursuing music or hospitality. I chose hospitality, but I still play on and off whenever I can.

My Kitchen Playlist

Anything from indie rock and indie pop to even a bit of metal sometimes. I really like Peggy Lou. Her melodic sets are amazing to listen to while working. I also love putting on old-school blues, especially Louisiana blues, as it makes the work feel really melodic.

Playing On Loop

Better Together by Jack Johnson, 1612 by Vulfpeck, Burning by Whitest Boy Alive, and With a Girl Like You by The Troggs.