Top 10 Award-Winning Chefs in India
India boasts a rich culinary culture, with various flavours and cooking styles found across the country. Top 10 Chefs in India Here, we present a list of the top 10 chefs in India who have not only elevated the quality of Indian cuisine but have also made significant contributions to spreading its flavors globally.
- Sanjeev Kapoor:
Sanjeev Kapoor stands as India’s most renowned and celebrated chef. Additionally, he is an entrepreneur and a television personality. Kapoor owns the distinction of being the first chef globally to own a 24×7 food and lifestyle channel, ‘FoodFood.’ His iconic show, ‘Khana Khazana,’ held the title of Asia’s longest-running show. Kapoor’s expertise lies in Indian cuisine, and he has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2017. - Vikas Khanna:
Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Vikas Khanna is a multifaceted personality—chef, restaurateur, cookbook writer, filmmaker, and humanitarian. He gained inspiration from his grandmother and opened Lawrence Gardens Banquets at the age of 17. Khanna has judged the MasterChef India series on Star Plus and has received various awards, including the GQ India Man of the Year Award in 2012. - Ranveer Brar:
Ranveer Brar, hailing from Lucknow, is a versatile Indian chef, TV personality, author, and restaurateur. He started his career at the Taj Hotel, Mumbai, and has since been a part of numerous culinary shows, including ‘Masterchef India.’ Brar’s contributions have earned him recognition, including the LFEGA’s Food Entertainer of the Year award in 2018. - Madhur Jaffrey: Madhur Jaffrey, a prominent Indian American chef, actress, and author, has significantly impacted the Western understanding of Indian cuisine. Her debut cookbook, ‘An Invitation to Indian Cooking,’ played a pivotal role in popularizing Indian food in Western countries. In 2022, Jaffrey was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
- Anjum Anand:
Anjum Anand, a British-Indian TV chef and food writer, focuses on promoting healthy Indian cuisine. Overcoming weight issues in her youth, Anand has been a regular guest on UKTV Food’s shows and owns ‘The Spice Tailor,’ an Indian sauces brand. Her commitment to healthy eating is reflected in her various cookbooks, including ‘Indian Every day’ and ‘I Love Curry.’ - Hari Nayak: Hari Nayak, a New York-based Indian chef, author, and restaurateur, has made significant contributions to modern Indian cooking. Co-founder of the restaurant ‘Sona’ in New York, Nayak received the Pride of the Profession Award from the National Restaurant Association of India in 2015.
- Vineet Bhatia:
Vineet Bhatia, born in Mumbai, is an Indian chef and restaurateur known for his modern Indian cooking style. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian chef to receive the Michelin Star Award, not once but twice. Bhatia was appointed as the food ambassador for the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign in 2021. - Nita Mehta: Nita Mehta, an Indian chef, author, and restaurateur, is celebrated for her cookbooks and cooking classes. In 2001, she established the ‘Nita Mehta Culinary Academy’ in New Delhi. Mehta’s notable achievements include winning the Best Asian Cookbook Award at the World Cookbook Fair in Paris in 1999.
- Saransh Goila:
Saransh Goila, an Indian chef and restaurateur, gained fame with his restaurant ‘Goila Butter Chicken’ in Mumbai. He is also the author of the travelogue ‘India on my Platter’ and has appeared as a guest judge on Masterchef Australia. - Harpal Singh Sokhi:
Harpal Singh Sokhi, an Indian chef, author, and entrepreneur, is known for his popular phrase and song “Namak Shamak.” Founder of ‘The Punjabi Tadka’ restaurant chain, Sokhi has played a significant role in organizing Indian Food Festivals internationally.
