My mum is my cooking inspiration.
Cooking style: modern New Zealand with Indian French influences. A lot of my cooking showcases my Indian heritage currently at One80 Restaurant Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay, Wellington.
I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management from KLE Bangalore 1996-1999
Work experience is in some of India’s luxury hotels – The Oberoi Bangalore, Taj West End Bangalore, Windsor Manor Sheraton Bangalore, The Leela Kempinski Mumbai – before moving in 1999 to work at The Radisson Hotel New Delhi.
I moved to New Zealand in 2002 and have been living in Wellington for the past 10 years. I began as Chef de Partie/Jr Sous Chef at The Heritage Hotel Auckland from 2002-2005.
- Executive Chef /F&B Manager Millennium Hotels and Resorts (Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay Wellington) One80 Restaurant 2011 – present
- Executive Chef Millennium Hotels and Resorts (Copthorne Hotel Palmerston North) 2006 – 2011
- President of NZ Chefs Association Wellington 2015 – 2020
- Culinary Arts Qualified Judge – 21855/ 21856
- Judging panel of Nestle Golden Chefs Hat Competition 2020
- Judge at the Nestle Toque d’Or Competition 2016/2017/2018/2019
- Ōra King Ambassador New Zealand 2020 – 2021
- Ōra King Best Dish New Zealand Finalist 2019
- Ōra King Ambassador New Zealand 2016
- Ōra King Next Generation Mentor New Zealand 2016
- Judge at the Manawatu Hospitality Awards
- Finalist New Zealand Vegetarian Dish 2016 (Fine Dining category)
- Finalist Ōra King Awards New Zealand 2015
- Finalist Best Ōra King Dish New Zealand 2015
- Finalist Best Ōra King Dish New Zealand 2014
- Winner Meadows Capital Grande Entrée 2013
- Winner Spirit of Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge 2014
- Manawatu Hospitality Awards Winner – Chef of The Year 2008/2009
- Manawatu Hospitality Awards Finalist – Hospitality Personality of the Year
- Manawatu Hospitality Awards Finalist – Restaurant of The Year (Zoe’s at the Kingsgate)
- Beef & Lamb Hallmark of Excellence Award 2006 – 2020
- Sous Chef Millennium Hotels and Resorts (Kingsgate Hotel Hamilton) 2005 – 2006
- New Zealand Chefs Association Member since 2005