Atul Kochhar

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Atul Kochhar
Atul Kochhar.jpg
Born31 August 1969 (1969-08-31) (age 56)
Jamshedpur, India
EducationThe Oberoi School of Hotel Management
Culinary career
Cooking styleIndian
Current restaurant(s)
  • Kanishka
    Sindhu
    Indian Essence
    Riwaz
    Vaasu
    Masalchi
    Essence
Website http://www.atulkochhar.com/

Atul Kochhar is an Indian-born, British-based celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality and writer. Kochhar is widely regarded as one of the most influential Indian chefs of all time and has been credited with changing the way Indian cuisine is perceived by the world. [1] [2]

Contents

He was the first ever Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, awarded in London in 2001 whilst at Tamarind. [3] He later opened his own restaurant called Benares, which won him a second Michelin star in 2007. [4] Since then he has opened several other restaurants, both in the United Kingdom and internationally including Kanishka in Mayfair, London.

Kochhar makes regular appearances on television shows, and has written a number of cookbooks: Curry Everyday,Simple Indian, Fish, Indian Style, Curries of the World, and 30 Minute Curries.

Early life

Kochhar was born in Jamshedpur, India, and began his cooking career at The Oberoi Group of hotels in India (1989–1994). He gained his diploma in Hotel Management from The Institute of Hotel Management Chennai. [5] In June 1993 Kochhar graduated to the five star deluxe Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi. [6] Here he worked as a sous chef in one of the five restaurants in the hotel supervising a staff of 18 and immediately raising the standards in the kitchen.

In 1994 Kochhar moved to London to continue his cooking career at Tamarind in Mayfair and in January 2001 at the age of 31, Kochhar was the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, a milestone widely regarded as a turning point in the recognition of Indian cuisine at fine-dining level. [7]

Restaurants

Atul Kochhar has been involved in the opening, operation and development of numerous restaurants in the United Kingdom and internationally.

RestaurantLocationYearsNotes
TamarindMayfair, London, England1994–2002Kochhar served as head chef where he led the restaurant to becoming the first ever Indian restaurant to win a Michelin Star. [8] [9]
BenaresMayfair, London, England2003–2018Kochhar opened his own award-winning restaurant on Berkeley Square where he won his second Michelin Star in 2007. He left the business in 2018 following a controversy. [10] [11]
VatikaWickham Vineyard, Hampshire, England2008–2011Restaurant at Wickham Vineyard; closed when the lease expired. [12]
AnandaDundrum, Dublin, Ireland2008–2010Opened in partnership with the Jaipur Group; Kochhar exited in 2010. [13]
Colony Bar & GrillMarylebone, London, England2010–2011Modern European restaurant; Kochhar left after approximately 15 months. [14]
ZafranDubai, United Arab Emirates2010–2012Indian restaurant chain launched with Landmark Group; Kochhar later parted ways with the brand. [15] [16]
Sindhu (P&O Cruises)Azura and Britannia2010–2018Indian fine-dining concept developed for P&O Cruises. [17]
Indian EssencePetts Wood, Kent, England2012–presentSuburban fine-dining Indian restaurant focusing on regional Indian cuisine. [18]
Rang MahalJW Marriott Marquis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates2012–2018Flagship Indian restaurant at the JW Marriott Marquis; Kochhar was fired in 2018 following a controversy. [19]
Simply IndiaSt. Regis Mauritius Resort, Mauritius2012–2014Signature Indian restaurant at the resort; later rebranded. [20]
SindhuMarlow, Buckinghamshire, England2014–presentFine-dining restaurant overlooking the River Thames. [21]
Benares MadridMadrid, Spain2015–2018Spanish outpost of Benares; Kochhar exited in 2018. [22]
NRI (Not Really Indian)Mumbai, India2016–2018Restaurant focused on Indian diaspora cuisine; closed after two years. [23]
LimaMumbai, India2016–2018Latin American-inspired restaurant launched during Kochhar’s return to India. [24]
HawkynsAmersham, Buckinghamshire, England2017–2024Modern British restaurant with Indian influences; closed in 2024. [25]
KanishkaMayfair, London, England2019–presentKochhar's new flagship restaurant, opened on Mayfair's Maddox Street in March 2019 following his departure from Benares just months earlier. [26]
VaasuMarlow, Buckinghamshire, England2020–presentKochhar's second restaurant in Marlow, paying homage to North Indian cuisine. [27]
SAGA: Cuisines of IndiaGurugram, India2021–2024Kochhar co-founded the restaurant and exited in 2024. [28] [29]
MathuraWestminster, London, England2021–2022Restaurant at the former Westminster Fire Station; later rebranded. [30] [31]
Kanishka KitchenHeathrow Airport, Terminal 5, England2021–2023A spin-off on Kochhar's flagship restaurant Kanishka in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. [32]
MasalchiWembley Park, London, England2021–presentCasual dining concept inspired by Indian street food. [33]
RiwazBeaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England2022–presentRestaurant inspired by Indian royal culinary traditions. [34]
Essence at The PantilesRoyal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England2024–presentRestaurant showcasing regional Indian cuisine in a historic setting. [35]

In 2018, Kochhar faced public backlash following controversial comments on social media. As a result of this, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai terminated its partnership with him for the operation of the Rang Mahal restaurant, citing a misalignment with the hotel’s values of diversity and inclusion. [36]

Later that year, Kochhar also departed from his Michelin‑starred flagship restaurant, Benares in Mayfair after a 15-year tenure. [37] Just 7 months later, Kochhar opened Kanishka on Maddox Street, marking an almost instant return to Mayfair [38]

He has gone on to open several other restaurants alongside Kanishka since his departure from Benares including Masalchi in Wembley Park, Vaasu in Marlow, Riwaz in Beaconsfield and Essence in Royal Tunbridge Wells. These new openings as well as with his two older restaurants: Sindhu in Marlow and Indian Essence in Petts Wood have taken Kochhar's current portfolio to 7 restaurants in the United Kingdom. [39]

Media

Kochhar has been featured on BBC2's television series Million Pound Menu. [40] He previously presented a series called Curry on with Atul Kochhar on the B4U network and a series on Malaysia called Kochhar's Spice Kitchen. [41] Kochhar appeared in Masterchef Goes Large, season two and BBC2's Great British Menu in a bid to create a menu in honour of the Queen's 80th Birthday. He also appeared in Market Kitchen and Saturday Kitchen series 1–3. [42]

Personal life

Kochhar lives in West London and is married to his wife Deepti. Together they have a son called Arjun and a daughter called Amisha. [43] [44]

Publications

References

  1. ↑ "Atul Kochhar". Great British Chefs. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  2. ↑ "Atul Kochhar Interview". TheTaste.ie. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "Interview: Atul Kochhar, Michelin-starred Indian chef". 24 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Interview: Atul Kochhar, Michelin-starred Indian chef". 24 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Atul Kochhar – The home of 2 Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar". www.atulkochhar.com.
  6. ↑ "Profile – Oberoi Hotels & Resorts". www.oberoihotels.com.
  7. ↑ "Interview: Atul Kochhar, Michelin-starred Indian chef". 24 February 2015.
  8. ↑ https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/atul-kochhar
  9. ↑ https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/greater-london/london/restaurant/tamarind
  10. ↑ https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/restaurants/atul-kochhar-interview-6753840.html
  11. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-45226169
  12. ↑ https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9240652.vatika-restaurant-at-wickham-vineyard-to-close/
  13. ↑ https://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/atul-kochhar-opens-ananda-in-dundrum-26451868.html
  14. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/03/colony-bar-grill-restaurant-review
  15. ↑ https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/first-michelin-starred-indian-chef-comes-to-dubai-1.500129
  16. ↑ https://www.caterermiddleeast.com/outlets/14095-atul-kochhar-parts-ways-with-foodmark-brand-zafran
  17. ↑ https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=839
  18. ↑ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/orpington/news/michelin-star-chef-opens-indian-restaurant-18844/
  19. ↑ https://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/food-beverage/34322-atul-kochhar-leaves-jw-marriott-marquis-dubai
  20. ↑ https://www.marriott.com/marriott/aboutmarriott/news/2012/st-regis-mauritius-opens.mi
  21. ↑ https://www.bucksadvertiser.co.uk/news/11616010.sindhu-by-atul-kochhar-opens-at-the-compleat-angler/
  22. ↑ https://elpais.com/gastronomia/2018/09/28/restaurantes/1538142205_145020.html
  23. ↑ https://elle.in/article/michelin-starred-chef-atul-kochhar-on-lima-and-nri-his-new-restaurants-in-mumbai/
  24. ↑ https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/food/2021/apr/11/regional-tastemaker-of-the-worldmichelin-starred-chef-atul-kochhar-is-back-in-india-to-tell-stories-with-flavours-2287608.html
  25. ↑ https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/hawkyns-by-atul-kochhar-opens
  26. ↑ https://www.standard.co.uk/reveller/restaurants/kanishka-by-atul-kochhar-review-a4085591.html
  27. ↑ https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/atul-kochhar-opens-vaasu-marlow
  28. ↑ https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/indias-best-restaurants/story/atul-kochhar-saga-gurugram-286292-2021-03-05
  29. ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/atul-kochhar-exits-saga-restaurant/articleshow/109112345.cms
  30. ↑ https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/mathura-opens-westminster-fire-station
  31. ↑ https://www.hardens.com/uk-london/07-10-2022/whats-in-a-name-speedy-re-brand-for-ambitious-indian-venture/
  32. ↑ https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/atul-kochhar-opens-restaurant-at-heathrow-t5/
  33. ↑ https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/masalchi
  34. ↑ https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/riwaz-by-atul-kochhar-opens
  35. ↑ https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/food-drink/atul-kochhar-opens-essence-9091803
  36. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/13/dubai-hotel-sacks-chef-atul-kochhar-anti-islam-tweet?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  37. ↑ https://london.eater.com/2018/8/8/17660128/atul-kochar-benares-michelin-star-sacked-anti-islamic-tweets
  38. ↑ https://london.eater.com/2019/2/7/18215158/atul-kochhar-return-islamophobic-attack-on-priyanka-chopra-kanishka
  39. ↑ https://atulkochhar.com/
  40. ↑ "BBC Two – My Million Pound Menu – Who's Who? Fred and the Investors". BBC. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  41. ↑ "Exclusive Cakes 4 U presents CURRY ON - an exclusive culinary - only on B4U". Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  42. ↑ "Atul Kochhar". BBC.
  43. ↑ https://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/interviews-and-profiles/atul-kochhar-interview_9057
  44. ↑ https://gulfnews.com/friday/art-people/my-fabulous-friday-atul-kochhar-1.1638249
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