Considered as the most prestigious award in the culinary world, winning a Michelin star is every chef’s dream. While we keep hearing about several international chefs who have been able to bag this extremely respected award, our very own Indian chefs are no less in this context. Throughout the years, there have been a number of famous Indian chefs whose well known restaurants which are situated across various parts in the world have been the recipients of the Michelin star.
Recently there have been 3 Michelin star chefs in India, who have successfully been able to bag this eminent award in 2023. The three Michelin starred Indian chefs and their restaurants which have been honoured with this award include the restaurant Rania by Chef Chetan Shetty which is situated in Washington DC, Semma by Chef Vijaya Kumar in New York City, and Indienne by Chef Sujan Sarkar, also in New York City. Having achieved the title of Michelin starred Indian chefs, these 3 chefs in India have surely established a significant position for the country as well as Indian cuisine in the global culinary landscape. An event that is of great eminence for all Indians, the Michelin starred Indian chefs have not only brought immense recognition to the entire country but have also placed Indian cuisine in front of the entire world. In order to congratulate these famous Indian cooks, Chef Vikas Khanna also recently posted on his social media, as he highly complimented these chefs.
At the end of last year, in December 2023 chef Garima Arora was also the recipient of the Michelin star for her Bangkok based restaurant named Gaa. Having made history with her achievement, Chef Garima Award has now become the first female chef of Indian origin to have won two Michelin stars.
Here are some of the imminent Michelin star chefs from India you should definitely know about
Vikas Khanna
A world class chef from India, Vikas Khanna hails from Amritsar in Punjab and has been working in the international culinary space for about 20 years now. Vikas left his hometown for the US in order to follow his dreams, and soon opened his first restaurant in New York City. Chef Vikas Khanna had to face a number of ups and downs during that time as his newly opened business came to a standstill because of the terrorist attacks that had taken place in New York then. However, after much hard work and dedication, Khanna’s culinary expertise was recognised at a non profit called James Beard House, which acted as an important step ahead for him.
Later in 2006, Khanna launched Spice Route which earned him the Michelin star. Thereafter again in 2010, he opened an Indian restaurant by the name Junoon in Manhattan, New York. This acted as his way upwards and Khanna continued to win the Michelin star for eight consecutive years for Junoon. The year 2019 marked the opening of Kinara by Vikas Khanna, which is a five star JA Lake View Hotel in Dubai. The famous Michelin star chef has now opened his latest venture Bungalow in New York this year in March.
Atul Kochhar
A famous Indian chef, Atul Kochhar is a prominent name in the culinary world. The first Michelin starred Indian chef, Chef Kochhar had received the prestigious award in the year 2001 for his London based restaurant, Tamarind. The following year, Chef Kochhar had opened his second business venture called Benaras in the Mayfair district of London, which then earned him his second Michelin star. The first famous Indian cook to bring Indian cuisine to the forefront of the global culinary landscape, Atul Kochhar is known for his signature recipes which offer a delectable blend of traditional Indian dishes along with British flavours.
Garima Arora
The first female Michelin starred Indian chef, Garima Arora has taken the global culinary arena by a stir with her innovative creations. A Mumbai born chef who is also the owner of the three-storied restaurant in Bangkok named Gaa that serves Indian cuisine with a touch of global flavours, Chef Arora is known for her traditional Indian cooking techniques. A famous Michelin starred Indian chef, she had first been awarded the Michelin star for Gaa in 2018, and then received her second Michelin star in 2023. Having been recipient of a number of other prestigious accolades, chef Garima Arora is known for her unique style and creative skills.
Alfred Prasad
Considered among London’s iconic chefs, chef Alfred Prasand first received the Michelin star in the year 2002 for Tamarind in London’s Mayfair district. The youngest Michelin starred Indian chef, Chef Prasad is known for his contemporary twists on traditional Indian dishes. Having won the Michelin star at an age as young as 29 years, he has held onto the title for 13 years since. Currently associated with The Oberoi Hotels, Chef Alfred Prasad is a recognized name in the international culinary arena.
Vineet Bhatia
A famous Indian cook, Chef Vineet Bhatia left for the UK after having worked for The Oberoi Hotels in Delhi and Mumbai. The first Michelin starred Indian chef-proprietor, Chef Bhatia is known for his expansive culinary ideas and contemporary take on Indian dishes. Chef Bhatia opened his first restaurant named Zaika in Chelsea in 1999, which earned him his first Michelin star in 2001. Thereafter in 2009, he opened Rasoi by Vineet at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva, Switzerland and was awarded the Michelin star once again. Known for creating a perfect balance of Indian and international flavours through his dishes, chef Vineet Bhatia is an acclaimed Michelin starred Indian chef.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication only.