‘Fly, insect or hair in food’ comment made by Gauri Khan's Torii co-founder after paneer controversy

Gauri Khan’s Mumbai-based restaurant, Torii, has once again been in the spotlight following remarks from its co-founder, Abhayraj Kohli. Known for attracting Bollywood celebrities, the eatery had previously faced controversy over allegations of serving “fake” paneer.

In a recent interview with Pop Diaries, Kohli addressed both the restaurant’s hygiene practices and the challenges of operating a high-end kitchen.

Maintaining High Standards in the Kitchen

Kohli emphasized that Torii places utmost importance on cleanliness and proper food storage. He explained that the restaurant uses specialized equipment, such as a superfreezer, to store raw meats for dishes like sushi, sashimi, and ceviche.


According to him, the superfreezer keeps temperatures between -60 and -70 degrees Celsius, preventing bacterial growth and ensuring food safety. He added that very few restaurants in India possess this level of equipment, which is crucial for serving raw dishes safely.

Acknowledging Unavoidable Mishaps

Despite the high standards, Kohli admitted that minor incidents, such as a fly, insect, or hair landing in food, can occur. He described such occurrences as “part and parcel of doing work” and highlighted that they can happen at home, at workplaces, and even in restaurants.

“Nothing can change that,” he stated, underlining that these occasional mishaps do not reflect negligence but are an inherent part of food service.

The Paneer Controversy

Torii had previously come under public scrutiny when content creator Sarthak Sachdeva alleged that the restaurant was serving “fake” paneer. The accusation drew widespread attention on social media, putting the high-end eatery in the spotlight. However, Chef Stefan Gadit later told SCREEN that the controversy ultimately worked in the restaurant’s favor, as it increased public curiosity and engagement online.


Gadit explained that the video was eventually removed after a detailed conversation with Sachdeva, during which the culinary team clarified how food science principles are applied in the restaurant and the meticulous processes followed in the preparation of ingredients like paneer.

Torii frequently attracts Bollywood celebrities, adding to its high-profile status in Mumbai’s dining scene.