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Citymax, chef Sanjeev Kapoor in pact

February 15, 2007 14:06 IST

Dubai-based Landmark Group's Citymax, which has been launched in India, has announced global partnership with celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor. "Citymax aims to change the hospitality landscape of the country," announced Ravi Saxena, managing director told newsmen in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The company has taken the global Fanchise rights for all the three restaurant brands of chef Kapoor namely Khazana Fine Indian Dining in Dubai, Grain of Salt and The Yellow Chilly. "We want to set up over 500 Yellow Chilly restaurants in India and abroad in next five years," Saxena said. Landmark Group is owned by Mikki Jagtayani.

"Valentine's Day has proved lucky for me," giggled Kapoor who is flying to Mumbai to be with his wife, Alyona. "I haven't decided what will I cook for her on Valentine's Day but sure I am cooking for her," Sanjeev Kapoor said.

Married in 1992 the couple has two daughters 12 and 8 respectively. "I was given the task of showing her Benaras when she came to visit her sister who was then a chef working with me in ITDC hotel in the city. "I am still showing her Benaras many years later. I love her as I did on the first day I met her. Valentine' Day for me means that I can spend more time with my wife and be nice to each other," he said with a mischievous smile on his face.

Chef Kapoor has a reason to be smiling as the new tie up makes him worth over Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) according to the marketing sources. Whether his fans hit the jackpot or not but he has got a Khazana by luring Jagatyani to strike a deal with him.

Onkar Singh in New Delhi