India has a rich culinary heritage and a diverse food culture that reflects the country’s varied regional cuisines. Over the years, several chefs in India have gained national and international recognition for their innovative take on traditional Indian cuisine. Here are some of the most popular Indian chefs in detail:
There are several Indian chefs who have made significant contributions to the culinary industry in India. Here are the top 15 Indian chefs in India:
- Sanjeev Kapoor: Sanjeev Kapoor is a celebrity chef and entrepreneur who is widely regarded as one of the most successful chefs in India. He has authored several cookbooks, hosted popular cooking shows on TV, and owns a chain of restaurants across the country. He is the founder of the Khana Khazana chain of restaurants, and has won several awards for his contributions to Indian cuisine. Kapoor is known for his innovative recipes that fuse traditional Indian flavors with modern cooking techniques. He has also been recognized for his work in promoting healthy eating habits and encouraging people to cook at home. Sanjeev Kapoor started his career in the food industry in the early 1990s, and quickly rose to fame with his cooking show “Khana Khazana”. The show was a huge hit, and ran for over 17 years, making Kapoor a household name across India. In addition to his TV show, Kapoor has written several cookbooks, including “Khazana of Indian Vegetarian Recipes”, “How to Cook Indian” , “Everyday Cooking” and “Flavours of the World”. He is also the founder of Wonderchef, a company that produces a range of cookware and kitchen appliances. He is known for his innovative take on traditional Indian recipes, and his recipes are widely popular among home cooks in India and around the world. In addition to his work in the food industry, Kapoor is a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable causes, including supporting the education of underprivileged children in India.
- Vikas Khanna: Vikas Khanna is a Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur who has been recognized for his innovative and contemporary approach to Indian cuisine. He has authored several cookbooks, hosted popular cooking shows, and has been featured on the cover of Time magazine. He has worked at some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants, including the Ritz Carlton in New York and the Benares restaurant in London. Khanna is known for his innovative take on traditional Indian cuisine, and has been featured on several TV shows, including MasterChef India and Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Vikas Khanna started his culinary journey at the age of 17, and has worked at some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants, including the Leela Palace in New Delhi and the Benares restaurant in London. In 2011, he opened his own restaurant, Junoon, in New York, which earned him a Michelin star in 2012. Khanna has also written several cookbooks, including “Flavors First” and “My Great India Cookbook”. He has been recognized for his work both in the culinary industry and for his humanitarian efforts, such as his work in feeding people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Gaggan Anand – Gaggan Anand is an Indian chef who has made a name for himself in the international culinary world. He is the founder of Gaggan, a restaurant in Bangkok that has been named the best restaurant in Asia several times. Anand is known for his unique approach to Indian cuisine, which involves deconstructing traditional dishes and presenting them in a modern, innovative way. He has been recognized for his work in promoting Indian cuisine and culture on the global stage.
Gaggan Anand started his culinary journey in India, working at several restaurants before opening his own restaurant, Gaggan, in Bangkok in 2010. The restaurant has been named the best restaurant in Asia several times, and has earned Anand a reputation as one of the most innovative chefs in the world. Anand is known for his use of molecular gastronomy techniques to create dishes that are visually stunning and bursting with flavor. He has also been recognized for his work in promoting Indian cuisine and culture on the global stage, and has given talks at several international culinary events. He gained international fame in 2019 when his restaurant, Gaggan, was ranked number one on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for the fourth consecutive year. Anand is known for his innovative take on Indian cuisine, which incorporates modernist techniques and showcases the diversity of Indian flavors. In addition to his work in the food industry, Anand is a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable causes, including supporting the education of underprivileged children in India.
- Atul Kochhar – Atul Kochhar is an Indian chef who has made a name for himself in the UK culinary scene. He is the founder of Benares, a Michelin-starred restaurant in London, and has won several awards for his contributions to Indian cuisine. Kochhar is known for his innovative take on traditional Indian cuisine, which involves using local British ingredients to create dishes that are both traditional and contemporary. He has been recognized for his work in promoting Indian cuisine in the UK and around the world.
Atul Kochhar started his culinary journey in India, before moving to the UK in the early 1990s. He worked at several high-end restaurants before opening his own restaurant, Benares, in London in 2003. The restaurant quickly earned a Michelin star, and has since become one of the most popular Indian restaurants in the UK. Kochhar is known for his use of local British ingredients to create dishes that are both traditional and contemporary. He has also been recognized for his work in promoting Indian cuisine in the UK and around the world, and has given talks at several international culinary events.
- Ritu Dalmia – Ritu Dalmia is a celebrity chef and restaurateur who is known for her Italian-Indian fusion cuisine. She is the owner of several popular restaurants in Delhi and Mumbai, including Diva, which serves modern Italian cuisine with an Indian twist. Dalmia has also published several cookbooks, including “Travelling Diva: Recipes From Around the World” and “Italian Khana”. Ritu Dalmia is a self-taught chef who began her culinary journey in the early 1990s, when she started selling sandwiches and salads from a small cart in Delhi. Over the years, she has built a successful career as a restaurateur, with several popular restaurants in Delhi and Mumbai. Her flagship restaurant, Diva, is known for its innovative take on Italian cuisine, with dishes that incorporate traditional Indian flavors. In addition to her restaurants, Dalmia has authored several cookbooks and has appeared on several cooking shows, including MasterChef India.
- Ranveer Brar: Ranveer Brar is a celebrity chef and TV host who has been recognized for his unique approach to Indian cuisine. He has authored several cookbooks, hosted popular cooking shows, and has been a judge on several cooking reality shows. He has worked at several high-end restaurants in India and abroad, and has appeared on several cooking shows, including MasterChef India and The Great Indian Rasoi. Brar is known for his innovative recipes that combine traditional Indian flavors with modern cooking techniques. He has also authored several cookbooks, including “Come Into My Kitchen” and “Love for Food”. Ranveer Brar is a chef who began his career in the early 2000s, working at several high-end restaurants in India and abroad. He gained national fame in 2014, when he became a judge on the TV show MasterChef India. Brar is known for his innovative recipes that combine traditional Indian flavors with modern cooking techniques, and has been recognized for his contributions to the Indian culinary scene. In addition to his work in the food industry, Brar has authored several cookbooks and has hosted several travel and food shows. He has worked in several high-end restaurants in India and abroad, and is the chef and owner of several restaurants, including TAG Gourmart Kitchen and Mayura. Brar has authored several cookbooks, including “Come Into My Kitchen” and “Full of Flavors.” He has also hosted several cooking shows on television, including “The Great Indian Rasoi” and “Thank God It’s Fryday.”
- Manish Mehrotra: Manish Mehrotra is the executive chef and owner of the critically acclaimed restaurant Indian Accent, which has been ranked as one of the best restaurants in Asia. He has been recognized for his innovative approach to Indian cuisine, which blends traditional Indian flavors with global culinary techniques. Mehrotra is known for his innovative approach to Indian cuisine, which involves using modern cooking techniques and ingredients to create dishes that are both traditional and contemporary. He has also been recognized for his work in promoting Indian cuisine on the global stage. Manish Mehrotra is a self-taught chef who has been working in the culinary industry for over two decades. He opened his first restaurant, Indian Accent, in New Delhi in 2009, which quickly became one of the most popular and critically acclaimed restaurants in India. Mehrotra is known for his use of modern cooking techniques and ingredients to create dishes that are both traditional and contemporary. He has also been recognized for his work in promoting Indian cuisine on the global stage, and has given talks at several international culinary events.
- Saransh Goila – Saransh Goila is a chef, television host, and author. He rose to fame as the winner of the TV show “Food Food Maha Challenge”, and has since become a popular figure in the Indian culinary scene. Goila is known for his innovative recipes that showcase the diversity of Indian cuisine. He has also authored several cookbooks, including “India on My Platter” and “Healthy Chicken Recipes”. He is a chef who rose to fame as the winner of the TV show Food Food Maha Challenge in 2011. He has since become a popular figure in the Indian culinary scene, and has been recognized for his innovative recipes that showcase the diversity of Indian cuisine. Goila is the owner and executive chef of Goila Butter Chicken, a chain of restaurants that serves modern Indian cuisine with a focus on healthy, home-style cooking. He has also authored several cookbooks, and has hosted several TV shows, including Roti Rasta aur India and Healthy Fridge. She rose to fame as the winner of the TV show Food Food Maha Challenge in 2011. He has since become a popular figure in the Indian culinary scene, and has been recognized for his innovative recipes that showcase the diversity of Indian cuisine. Goila is the owner and executive chef of Goila Butter Chicken, a chain of restaurants that serves modern Indian cuisine with a focus on healthy, home-style cooking. He has also authored several cookbooks, and has hosted several TV shows, including Roti Rasta aur India and Healthy Fridge.v
- Tarla Dalal: Tarla Dalal was a renowned cookbook author and cooking show host who was widely regarded as one of the most influential chefs in India. She authored over 100 cookbooks, hosted several popular cooking shows on TV, and was known for her simple and easy-to-follow recipes. Tarla Dalal was a well-known Indian chef, food writer, and television personality who was born in 1936 in Pune, India, and passed away in 2013. She was a pioneer of vegetarian cooking in India, and her recipes and cookbooks are still widely popular today. Dalal began her career as a food writer in the 1960s, and over the course of her career, she authored over 100 cookbooks, many of which were bestsellers. Her recipes were known for their simplicity and ease of preparation, making them accessible to home cooks of all skill levels. In addition to her work as a writer, Dalal also hosted several cooking shows on television, including “Cook It Up With Tarla Dalal” and “Tarla Dalal’s Kitchen.” She was known for her warm and engaging personality, and her ability to make cooking approachable and fun for her viewers. Throughout her career, Dalal received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the food industry in India, including the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors. She was also involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the creation of the Tarla Dalal Foundation, which supports underprivileged children and promotes education and healthcare. Today, Dalal’s legacy lives on through her cookbooks, which continue to inspire home cooks in India and around the world. Her recipes are known for their delicious flavors, simple preparation, and healthy ingredients, making them a favorite of vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
- Amninder Sandhu – Amninder Sandhu is a chef and restaurateur who is known for her Punjabi cuisine. She has worked at several high-end restaurants in India and abroad, and has been recognized for her innovative take on traditional Indian dishes. Sandhu is the owner and executive chef of Arth, a restaurant in Mumbai that serves modern Indian cuisine with a focus on Punjabi flavors. She has also appeared on several cooking shows, including MasterChef India and The Final Table. Amninder Sandhu is a self-taught chef who began her culinary journey in the early 2000s, working at several high-end restaurants in India and abroad. She gained national fame in 2017, when she appeared on the TV show MasterChef India, and has since become a prominent figure in the Indian culinary scene. Sandhu is the owner and executive chef of Arth, a restaurant in Mumbai that serves modern Indian cuisine with a focus on Punjabi flavors. She is known for her innovative recipes that showcase the diversity of Indian cuisine, and has been recognized for her contributions to the Indian culinary scene. In addition to her work in the food industry, Sandhu has authored a cookbook, titled The Cuisine of the Punjab: Exploring the Secrets of Indian Regional Cooking.
- Floyd Cardoz – Floyd Cardoz was an Indian-American chef who gained fame as the winner of Top Chef Masters season 3. He was the owner and executive chef of several restaurants, including the Bombay Canteen and Paowalla in New York. Cardoz was known for his innovative take on Indian cuisine, which incorporated local ingredients and flavors. He authored several cookbooks, including “One Spice, Two Spice: American Food, Indian Flavors”. He began his culinary journey in India, where he worked at several high-end restaurants before moving to the US in the early 1990s. He gained national fame in 2011, when he won Top Chef Masters season 3, and has since become a prominent figure in the American culinary scene. Cardoz was known for his innovative take on Indian cuisine, which incorporated local ingredients and flavors. He was the owner and executive chef of several restaurants, including the Bombay Canteen and Paowalla in New York, and authored several cookbooks, including Flavorwalla and Floyd Cardoz: Flavorwalla.
- Pankaj Bhadouria- Pankaj Bhadouria is an Indian chef, food writer, and television personality. She gained national recognition in 2010 when she won the first season of “MasterChef India,” and has since gone on to host several cooking shows on television, including “3 Course with Pankaj” and “Chef Pankaj Ka Zayka.” Bhadouria is also the author of several cookbooks, including “MasterChef Cookbook” and “The Secrets in the Spice Mix.” She is known for her innovative take on traditional Indian recipes, and her recipes are widely popular among home cooks in India and around the world. She was born and raised in Lucknow, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and completed her education in Home Science from Lady Irwin College, Delhi. She gained national recognition in 2010 when she won the first season of “MasterChef India,” a popular cooking reality show on television.
Following her win on “MasterChef India,” Bhadouria went on to host several cooking shows on television, including “3 Course with Pankaj” and “Chef Pankaj Ka Zayka.” She is also a food writer and has authored several cookbooks, including “MasterChef Cookbook” and “The Secrets in the Spice Mix.”
Bhadouria is known for her innovative take on traditional Indian recipes, and her recipes are widely popular among home cooks in India and around the world. She often incorporates local and seasonal ingredients into her recipes and focuses on creating healthy, flavorful dishes. Her cooking style is characterized by a blend of traditional Indian flavors and modern cooking techniques.
In addition to her work in the food industry, Bhadouria is also involved in various charitable causes, including supporting the education of underprivileged children in India. She has been recognized for her contributions to the culinary industry with several awards, including the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Cookery Show and the National Women Excellence Award for Food and Hospitality.
13 Madhur Jaffrey – Madhur Jaffrey is an Indian-born actress, food and travel writer, and television personality, who has made significant contributions to the culinary industry. She was born on August 13, 1933, in Delhi, India, and moved to London in the late 1950s to pursue her acting career. However, her love for food and cooking eventually led her to explore the world of culinary arts.
Jaffrey is best known for her expertise in traditional Indian cuisine, and her recipes are widely popular among home cooks in India and around the world. She has authored several cookbooks, including “An Invitation to Indian Cooking” and “Madhur Jaffrey’s World Vegetarian,” both of which have won numerous awards and critical acclaim. Her cookbooks have been instrumental in introducing traditional Indian cuisine to a wider audience and have been credited with popularizing the concept of fusion cooking.
Jaffrey’s culinary journey began in the 1970s when she was approached by the BBC to present a cooking show that would introduce British audiences to the exotic flavors of Indian cuisine. The show, titled “Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery,” became a huge success and was followed by several other television shows, including “Flavors of India,” “Madhur Jaffrey’s Far Eastern Cookery,” and “Madhur Jaffrey’s Spice Kitchen.”
In addition to her work in the food industry, Jaffrey has also had a successful career as an actress, both in India and abroad. She has appeared in several films, including “Shakespeare Wallah,” “Heat and Dust,” and “Cotton Mary,” and has also appeared in several television shows, including “ER” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
Jaffrey has been recognized for her contributions to the culinary industry with several awards, including the prestigious James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. She has also been honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, for her contributions to the arts, in 1985.
14 Vicky Ratnani – Vicky Ratnani is an Indian chef, restaurateur, and television personality, who is known for his innovative take on traditional Indian cuisine. He was born on September 15, 1968, in Mumbai, India, and grew up in a family that was deeply passionate about food.
Ratnani started his career in the culinary industry in the early 1990s, working at various restaurants in Mumbai. He gained widespread recognition for his culinary skills when he won the National Chef of India award in 2005, and has since become a household name in India’s culinary scene.
Ratnani is known for his expertise in fusion cuisine, which combines traditional Indian flavors with international cooking techniques. He is the founder and chef at Vicky’s, a popular restaurant chain in Mumbai that serves fusion cuisine, and has authored several cookbooks, including “Vicky Goes Veg” and “The World on Your Plate.”
In addition to his work as a chef and restaurateur, Ratnani has also appeared in several television shows, including “Twist of Taste” and “Vicky Goes Foreign,” both of which have been highly popular among food enthusiasts in India and abroad. He is known for his flamboyant personality and his ability to connect with his audience, and has been credited with popularizing the concept of fusion cuisine in India.
Ratnani’s contributions to the culinary industry have been recognized with several awards, including the Chef of the Year award by the Times Food and Nightlife Awards in 2013, and the Indian Restaurant Congress and Awards Best Chef award in 2015. He has also been a judge on several cooking reality shows, including “MasterChef India,” and has been instrumental in nurturing and encouraging young talent in the culinary industry.
- Shipra Khanna – Shipra Khanna is an Indian chef, cookbook author, and television personality who is known for her innovative and creative cooking style. She was born on November 17, 1981, in Shimla, India, and grew up in a family that had a passion for food.
Khanna’s culinary journey began in 2012 when she participated in the second season of the popular cooking reality show, “MasterChef India.” She went on to win the competition, which brought her widespread recognition and helped her establish a career in the culinary industry.
Khanna has since authored several cookbooks, including “The Spice Route” and “Healthy Eating,” both of which have received critical acclaim. Her recipes are known for their unique blend of traditional Indian flavors and contemporary cooking techniques, and are popular among home cooks in India and abroad.
In addition to her work as a cookbook author, Khanna has also appeared in several television shows, including “MasterChef India,” “Kitchen Stars,” and “Snack Attack.” She is known for her bubbly and energetic personality, and her ability to connect with her audience.
Khanna’s contributions to the culinary industry have been recognized with several awards, including the Indian Icon Award for the Best Chef in 2019, and the National Award for Women Excellence in 2017. She is also actively involved in several philanthropic activities, and has used her platform to raise awareness about social issues such as child welfare and women’s empowerment.
Shipra Khanna’s passion for cooking and her innovative approach to traditional Indian cuisine have helped her establish a successful career in the culinary industry, and she continues to inspire and encourage young chefs around the world.