Here is the list of the best Indian Chefs who took Indian flavors to the world and made us proud!
As the culinary field is growing globally, Indian Chefs, with their innovative cooking methods and dishes, have put India on the global culinary map. Using a combination of conventional methods along with scientific & modern techniques, these chefs have changed the perception of Indian food all over the world.
Here is the list of the best Indian chefs who make us proud.
1. Sanjeev Kapoor
Sanjeev Kapoor is one of the most famous Indian celebrity chefs. He hosted the famous culinary show ‘Khana Khazana‘, which is the longest-running show of its kind in Asia. He is the first chef in the world to own a 24×7 food and lifestyle channel – Food Food. He has also written more than 150 cookbooks, and globally respected for his skills.
2. Vikas Khanna
Vikas Khanna is an internationally acclaimed Indian chef, author, poet, and filmmaker. He has also won several awards in varied fields, has hosted several successful shows, and has written more than 25 cookbooks. He even wrote and directed a critically acclaimed film – The Last Color.
3. Preeti Agarwal
In a male-dominated business, Preeti Agarwal is one of the best Indian chefs who is creating magic with her food and innovative ideas all over the world. She was quoted saying, “My idea is to reinvent the perception of Indian food in Seattle, present a sophisticated Indian dining experience within a glamorous setting with excellent food.”
4. Vineet Bhatia
A Michelin star winner, and owner of several restaurants all over the world, Vineet is famous for his progressive cooking methods. He is one of the best Indian chefs who are taking Indian cuisine to the world.
5. Ritu Dalmia
Ritu Dalmia is an Indian celebrity chef and restaurateur. She co-owns the popular Italian restaurant Diva in Delhi. She has also hosted the TV cookery show, “Italian Khana” for NDTV Good Times that won many awards. She has even published a book by the same name.
6. Anjum Anand
Anjum is on a mission to change public perception of Indian food as ‘oily & heavy’ and that it is time-consuming to cook. She wanted to take Indian food beyond the old-fashioned ideas of takeaways and jarred sauces and create a better home-cooking experience, resulting in versatile, healthy and altogether delicious Indian meals. Anjum has also written 8 colourful Indian cookbooks and has also hosted various cookery shows.
7. Tarla Dalal
Who would not know the Padma Shri awardee Tarla Dalal. Her first cookbook, The Pleasures of Vegetarian Cooking, was published in 1974. Since then she wrote over 150 cookery books, and sold millions of copies. She published a bi-monthly magazine, Cooking & More, and ran the largest Indian food website. Tarla Dalal had also hosted several cook shows. Though she left this world in 2013, millions around the world still enjoy cooking her delicious recipes.
8. Ranveer Brar
Famous for ‘Health Bhi Taste Bhi’ on Zee Khana Khazana, Ranveer Brar is an Indian chef, celebrity, author, restaurateur, and food film producer. He began his career at the age of 25 as an official culinary expert. Ranveer was also one of the judges of MasterChef India and is known for his outspoken style.
9. Atul Kochhar
Working in the culinary industry for over 25 years, Atul Kochhar is not only one of the best Indian chefs, but also the most critically acclaimed one. He received a Michelin star for his restaurant ‘Benares’ in 2007.
10. Saransh Goila
Saransh Goila won the Food Food Maha Challenge in the year 2011 at the young age of 24. He is the author of the acclaimed food travelogue ‘India on my Platter’ and owns the popular restaurant ‘Goila Butter Chicken’ in Mumbai.
11. Floyd Cardoz
Floyd Cardoz was an Indian-born American chef who won many awards. The culinary star, committed to making the food industry more sustainable, began his hospitality training in his native Mumbai. He later moved to Switzerland, where he honed his skills in French, Italian, and Indian cuisine before moving on to the kitchens of New York City. He ran the successful ‘Bombay Canteen’, ‘O Pedro’, and ‘Bombay Sweet Shop’ in Mumbai and was the magician behind New York’s ‘Tabla’ restaurant. He passed away in 2020 due to Covid related complications.
12. Vivek Singh
He is an Indian British celebrity chef, Michelin star winner, CEO, and Executive Chef of four London-based modern-Indian restaurants. Vivek Singh is known for his innovative take on Indian food. Vivek is also a prolific writer and has published six recipe books: The Cinnamon Club Cookbook (2003), The Cinnamon Club Seafood Cookbook (2006), Curry: Classic and Contemporary (2008), Cinnamon Club: Indian Cuisine Reinvented (2011), Cinnamon Kitchen: The Cookbook (2012) and Spice At Home (2014).
Have you tried the recipes of these famous chefs, or been to their restaurants? Do let us know your experience!
