Chef Becomes First Indian Female To Receive Michelin Star

An Indian chef made history when she became the first woman from her country to earn a Michelin star. Garima Arora received the highest accolade in the culinary world, and her restaurant isn’t even in India.

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Arora’s restaurant Gaa is based in Bangkok and only opened a year and a half ago. After capturing the imaginations of locals with her delicious mix of Indian and Thai cuisine, Arora has now etched her name in the coveted Michelin guide.

One of the highlights of the Indian chef’s showstopping menu is a dish consisting of in-house pickles, roti, and grilled jackfruit. It is a classic example of Arora’s hunger to combine both styles and ingredients from the country she was born in, India, and the country she now lives in, Thailand.

Although Gaa is by no means the first Michelin-starred restaurant in this part of the world, Arora is proud to work in Bangkok, a city that consists of a number of other successful Indian chefs such as Gaggan Anand.

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“We are a population of one billion with food culture that is centuries old,” she said. “In my opinion, we should be making food trends, not following them. The best chefs and restaurants of the world should be from India.”

With a Punjabi background, Arora’s style goes right back to her formative years in Mumbai, tasting new and exciting foods that her family would prepare day in and day out. Despite starting off as a journalist, she soon realized that cooking was her calling.

“I have always had in the back of my mind that someday I would like to have a restaurant of my own,” she said. “But after 6 months working as a journalist, I began to realize that I probably should get on with it since, to be quite honest, cooking is a young person’s game.”

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Two of Thailand’s main cities, Bangkok and Phuket, had consisted of 26 Michelin-starred restaurants until recently. Now, Arora’s restaurant makes that 27.

20+ Facts You Never Knew About James Bond

Ornithologist Origin

The original James Bond was an ornithologist. That is a funny fact that many do not know about the character and the origin of the name. What’s more? This ornithologist was also a fictional character. How did that happen?

Ornithologist Origin

Ian Fleming, the genius behind the character was holding a birdwatching book and wanted to use a name “as mundane as possible.” The name Dr. James Bond was the perfect fit. That is perhaps one of the most amazing James Bond Facts.

85 Identical Tom Ford

The James Bond character is one that fights crime and solves problems while remaining classy. His gentlemen suit is one of the distinct features of this character. But how much is a suit really needed to maintain the class of this man of style?

85 Identical Tom Ford

Here is one interesting James Bond fact to help put things into perspective. Daniel Craig, the James Bond character for Skyfall, was given 85 identical versions of Bond’s Tom Ford suit for the opening scene. Wow!

Rounds Galore

The lovers of the James Bond movie franchise would definitely agree that the movies are packed with a lot of interesting stories. The classy lifestyle of the protagonist, his thirst for women and gambling, and so much more.

Rounds Galore

However, this part of the story did not in any way reduce the action part of the movie. The movies are abundantly filled with a lot of action scenes. Most would agree. In fact, the cast of Skyfall had to go through 200,000 rounds during weapons training for the movie. Another fascinating fact about James Bond’s character and his action-packed movies.

Laser Beams Anyone

Another fact about the James Bond movie series that makes it really interesting is the use of technology. While James Bond is a very good agent in the field, he does not rely only on his brain and brawn all the time.

Laser Beams Anyone

He allows cool toys and gadgets to help him in his quest to solve crimes every now and then. But what makes the character stand out is the use of the latest and mind-blowing gadgets in the movie series. Goldfinger was the first movie to feature a laser beam. Cool stuff.

First Aston Martin

A classy James Bond is always with a large briefcase full of cash ready to spend it all at the casino. That scenario isn’t quite complete if he doesn’t have a classy car to drive around.

First Aston Martin

Something classy and fast, and is fit for a spy. Well, there are many types of models and cars that fit into this category. The best part is James Bond has used them all. Here is one interesting James Bond fact. He is the first to drive an Aston Martin in a movie and that was in Goldfinger.

Car Jump: One Jump

As with any movie, stunts require a level of practice, calculation, and precision. Some actors do hire stunt doubles just to perform the hard stunts. Some stunts take all day before the actor can pull it off, some take weeks.

Car Jump: One Jump

However, the corkscrew car jump that was one of the highlights of The Man With the Golden Gun was performed in just one take. That is one amazing feat that few actors can boast about. Re-watching the scene would help one to appreciate the jump more than usual.

Jamaican Estate Goldeneye

Ian Fleming was a man of many interesting characters. One of such was the funny inspiration behind the names he gives the characters in the movie. The special way of naming goes beyond the characters but also the names of the movies.

Jamaican Estate Goldeneye

Ian Fleming wrote 14 of his novels in a Jamaican estate. The name of the estate is Goldeneye. Ring any bells? That is the name of the 17th James Bond film. It is another interesting fact about James Bond movies.

The Double Zeros

James Bond is Agent 007. however, he is not the only double zero in the series. Here are some interesting facts about the others. 002, 003, 004, and 009 have all been declared missing in action in different movies. 006 was thought to have passed but came back as the antagonist in Goldeneye.

The Double Zeros

Then he was disposed of in the movie. 001 and 005 have never been mentioned. 008 was mentioned a few times as the replacement for Bond in case he goes missing in action or he is removed from a mission for insubordination.

The Aston Dip

There have been more than a few incidents during the production and filming of the various James Bond movies. That is expected to some level. Here is one that might sound shocking to many. 007 used an Aston Martin in Quantum of Solace.

The Aston Dip

However, he needed more than one to complete the movie. The first Aston Martin used took a dip in the Italian Lago di Garda after a stuntman lost control. Guess the Aston went for a drive.

The “007” Glyph

While Ian Fleming famous protagonist was a fictional character, most of the interesting facts about this character were inspired by real events. One example is the code name “Double O Seven, 007” given to James Bond.

The “007” Glyph

It was adapted from the story of an English polymath named John Dee. This man would sign his letters to Queen Elizabeth with a 007 glyph. This means that the glyph is meant for the Queen’s eyes only. Ian Fleming felt that was fitting for a spy as they always provide information that are very private.

The Most Dangerous Bond

It is no secret that there has been more than one James Bond in the course of the movie franchise. Some protagonists are different from others. In the quest to solve problems, different James Bonds have used different methods.

The Most Dangerous Bond

Some have been more active and dangerous than others. The most dangerous of them all is Pierce Brosnan. In Goldeneye, he alone ended 47 lives. That is the highest count of dismissal in a James Bond movie.

The Friendliest Bond

An action-packed movie would most likely contain more than one case of antagonist dismissal. This has been established with the fact about the most dangerous Bond.

The Friendliest Bond

However, the friendliest bond takes things a bit too friendly, some might argue. Many have seen The Man with the Golden Gun, but they do not realize one interesting fact about the movie. Roger Moore, the 007 in the movie, only had to dismiss one antagonist throughout the movie. This is quite low for an action movie.

Snap, Not Baccarat

Among many other things, James Bond iss famous for his love for casinos. He would often meet assets or antagonist at different casinos. And sometimes, he’s just there to play games and admire beautiful ladies.

Snap, Not Baccarat

His favorite game is baccarat and this is where he spends most of his fortune. However, he is reportedly brilliant at snap. Just another interesting James Bond fact that makes him different from other movie characters.

Fear of Weapons

Hoplophobia is the fear of firearms. That is nice to know, but how is it an interesting fact about James Bond movies? Well, here it is. Roger Moore was suffering from this particular phobia.

Fear of Weapons

Which is quite hilarious and weird given the fact that the actor was James Bond for seven different movies in the series. An actor that is scared of weapons, that is a new one. That is a fact very few know about. Even fewer people would believe this fact.

The President’s Favorite Novel

Many fans wonder how the movie series became a popular one. Well, here is an interesting fact about James Bond. One of the novels by Ian Fleming was titled From Russia, With Love.

The President’s Favorite Novel

This novel was declared by the president at the time as his favorite novel. This increased the value and worth of the movie series in an exponential manner. From Russia, With Love was produced next by the studios and it had a major increase in sales.

Favorite Novel; Last Movie

Here is another interesting fact about James Bond movie series. This fact also has something to do with one of America’s presidents. After speaking highly about his love for the novel, the president did not stop there.

Favorite Novel; Last Movie

He went on to watch some of the James Bond movies. Here is the truly bizarre fact: From Russia, With Love was the last movie that the President ever watched.

BMW Never Ends

The wide use of cars is a fact that would readily come to mind when the name James Bond is the topic of discussion. Different cars have been used to perform various stunts in a bid to give the fans of the movie the best.

BMW Never Ends

While Aston Martin has been a prevalent Bond car, it is not the only car popular with these movies. BMW is another one. In the production of Tomorrow Never [Ends], more than 15 BMW 750s were destroyed during stunts. This is a record in the history of the movie series.

Aston Martin for Life

One of the James Bond actors that was consistent with the use of Aston Martins was Daniel Craig. His high-speed chasing and skillful driving have made the car more popular and attractive.

Aston Martin for Life

He has impressed both the fans at home and the Aston Martin company. But just how impressed are they with his handling? This amazing James Bond fact would answer that. He reportedly has a deal that allows him to use any car produced by Aston Martin right from the factory. For how long? For the rest of his life. Wow!

Young Daniel Craig

The James Bond movies have been around for a while now. Many are not even aware of how old the movie has been in production. Here is one interesting fact about James Bond to help put things into perspective.

Young Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig was one of the actors who has played the role of James Bond in some of the movies. James Bond, the character, is older than Daniel Craig. The movie has been around since his birth. He is over 50 years old and is the first Bond that is younger than the movie series.

Seven Full Barrel Rolls

Daniel Craig’s impressive use of the Aston Martin is well known by all. He has performed many stunts using the different cars from the company. However, some are more special and difficult than others.

Seven Full Barrel Rolls

A new world record was set in Casino Royale. It was the record for the most barrel rolls assisted by a canon. Seven full barrel rolls were completed by the Aston Martin DBS. It is one of Daniel Craig’s most impressive acts. It is another interesting fact about the James Bond movies.

Vesper of WW2

One who has seen the movie Casino Royale or read the novel would remember the unique character that is Vesper Lynd. Like many others in the story her origin came from Ian Fleming’s real-life experience. What was it this time?

Vesper of WW2

Vesper was inspired by a British-Polish WW2 agent who met with the writer. The name of the agent was Krystyna Skarbek, also known to some as Christine Granvill. Fleming’s meeting with this character gave him all he needed to create the unique Vesper Lynd.

The Longest Opening Scene

Most James Bond movies are between 90 minutes and two hours, and right from the opening, there is a sea of interesting actions and stunts.

The Longest Opening Scene

But what was the longest time spent in pulling off one of their ever-classy opening scenes? 7 weeks – that’s a day short of 50 days – was spent filming the opening scene of the movie The World is Not Enough. It is the longest spent on an opening scene in all the James Bond movies.

Dr. No: No Competitors

Dr. No was one of James Bond’s older movies, filled with lots of action and characters. It also had a little bit of drama to go with it. This time, the drama was behind the scene.

Dr. No: No Competitors

This particular movie had a particular beverage brand as one of its major sponsors. And to protect their popularity without advertising their competitors, they made certain changes in the script. For example, they did not want the competitor in Bond’s favorite drink to be mentioned throughout the movie.

The Boat is Not Enough

The opening scene of a movie goes a long way to set the tone for what viewers are to expect through the course of the movie. One simple fact that is not lost on the production crew of James Bond movies. Here is one amazing James Bond fact.

The Boat is Not Enough

In the opening scene of the series The World is Not Enough, the boat chase required 35 boats for the scene to get to completion. Just a few boats can’t be enough if the world itself isn’t enough.

The Right Age

Daniel Craig is one of the youngest James Bonds, but there is more to the man than just his young age. His age happens to be the prime age for a spy.

The Right Age

In the novels, James Bond acquired his 007 status at the age of 38, an age that is fitting for a man whose job is to remain active and alive. That was Daniel Craig’s exact age when he gained the status of a 007 agent. Like he was born for the role.

Computer Modelling Stunts

The use of technology in the different James Bond movies goes beyond making cool gadgets for action scenes. Some of the amazing effects of technology in the movies are behind the scenes.

Computer Modelling Stunts

One example is the use of computer modeling to calculate the different stunts. This is another James Bond fact that many do not seem to know. The Man With the Golden Gun featured the first time a stunt was calculated by computer modeling. The stunt? The famous corkscrew car jump.

The Spectre Anagram

The method of naming in this particular movie series has always been something of a mystery yet fun. No name is given just for the sake of it. Some are names from other books, while some are names of cities of inspiration.

The Spectre Acronym

Some names are also acronyms that fit into other words. One example is the James Bond movie titled Spectre. It is an acronym for ‘Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion.’ The naming system is another one of the many interesting James Bond facts.

Weird Bond with Ladies

Bond’s love for the other gender is a fact that he doesn’t hide from those around him. One can say he is easily swayed by any woman of beauty. But his love life has some interesting details that are worth noting.

Weird Bond with Ladies

James Bond has been with 44 women over the course of the movies. This is excellent, many would say. However, all has not been a bed of roses for the actor. More than 25 of those women have tried to vanquish him. Guess all is fair in love and war.

The Language Master

As a spy that ventures into the deepest and darkest part of the world. It is important for James Bond to have a wide range when it comes to language.

The Language Master

So what language is he good at? Bond is fluent in English, French, Italian, German and Russian. That is quite impressive for a field agent. He is also very good at Japanese. A simple fact that makes it possible for 007 to infiltrate various countries and go undetected.

Multiple Origins

Some simple facts about James Bond. He was born in Germany to a Scottish man named Andrew Bond but was raised in England and Scotland. This is interesting when one considers the fact that Bond sees himself as Scottish.

Multiple Origins

In fact, this is one simple reason why popular actors like Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds have turned down the role of James Bond at one point in time. The two believed the actor should be British.