Top 10 Women Chefs in India
For long time, cooking at home was seen like a woman’s job, but being a chef felt like men’s world. Now, famous female chefs in India are running Michelin-star restaurants, judging shows, and teaching cooking. Top 10 Women Chefs in India inspire anyone who loves food or wants to learn culinary skills.
Female Chefs in India
For a long time, we all grew up hearing that cooking at home was only a woman’s job, but culinary world was considered as a male-dominated industry. That old idea is slipping away now. These days, you see famous female chefs in India running big kitchens, hosting shows, doing food podcasts, opening schools and all that stuff.
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You look at the Top 10 Women Chefs in India, and it’s not really about putting them in some fancy order, it’s more like you’re watching stories that got bravery and messy starts and lot of creativity smashed together.
If you love food, or you want to be a chef someday, or maybe you are just checking out culinary courses for fun, you will find something inspiring from these women, because each one got her own way of doing things different than what folks expect.
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- Top 10 Women Chefs in India
- 1. Romy Gill
- 2. Nita Nagaraj
- 3. Tarla Dalal
- Legacy & Present Impact
- 4. Shipra Khanna
- 5. Rajshri Gupta
- 6. Nita Mehta
- 7. Ritu Dalmia
- 8. Garima Arora
- 9. Pooja Dhingra
- 10. Doma Wang
Top 10 Women Chefs in India
Below is a table overview before we dive into their journeys:
| Chef Name |
Key Recognition |
Known For |
Current Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romy Gill |
MBE Honour (UK) |
British-Indian cuisine |
Author, podcaster, chef |
| Nita Nagaraj |
Chef & Trainer |
South Indian & fusion cuisine |
Culinary educator |
| Tarla Dalal |
Padma Shri Awardee |
Cookbooks, TV shows |
Legacy through books & online |
| Shipra Khanna |
MasterChef India Winner |
TV shows, recipes |
YouTube, books, global events |
| Rajshri Gupta |
Food Entrepreneur |
Regional Indian dishes |
Content creator, chef |
| Nita Mehta |
Bestselling Author |
Cooking institute & cookbooks |
Cooking classes, YouTube |
| Ritu Dalmia |
Restaurateur |
Diva Restaurants |
Restaurateur, TV personality |
| Garima Arora |
First Indian Woman with a Michelin Star |
Modern Indian cuisine |
Gaa, global collabs |
| Pooja Dhingra |
Queen of Desserts |
Macarons & pastry arts |
Le15, podcast, books |
| Doma Wang |
Momos Queen |
Tibetan food in India |
Restaurants in Kolkata |
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1. Romy Gill
Romy Gill is one of the most respected female Indian chefs on TV and one of the few Indian women to receive MBE (Member of the British Empire) from UK government for her contribution to hospitality.
Why She’s Famous
- Known for promoting simple, home-style Indian food in international scene
- TV appearances on BBC, MasterChef, and many UK cooking shows
- Her food storytelling, podcast presence, and cookbooks resonate with global audiences
What She’s Doing Now
- Publishing cookbooks
- Running food shows and podcasts
- Appearing on international culinary platforms
She continues to inspire young women who dream of representing Indian food on global stages.
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2. Nita Nagaraj
Nita Nagaraj’s contribution to female chefs in India is massive. She has trained thousands of students in classical and modern cuisine.
Why She’s Famous
- Known for her expertise in South Indian cuisine
- A strong presence in culinary training and workshops
- Loved for her simple, easy-to-follow cooking style
What She’s Doing Now
- Conducting culinary workshops
- Training professional chefs
- Sharing recipes and tutorials on digital platforms
She represents the part of the industry where passion meets education.
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3. Tarla Dalal
Tarla Dalal is a household name and arguably the most influential female chef in India of all time. She was awarded the Padma Shri, making her the first Indian chef to receive this honor.
Why She’s Famous
- Over 150+ cookbooks written
- India’s earliest food TV star
- Millions of readers and followers
- Pioneer of vegetarian cooking
Legacy & Present Impact
Although she passed away in 2013, her website, cookbooks, and videos are still among the most searched for Indian recipes online. She is often the first introduction many Indians have to structured cooking.
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4. Shipra Khanna
Winner of MasterChef India Season 2, Shipra Khanna is now one of the top female chefs in India with global recognition.
Why She’s Famous
- Author, TV host, YouTube creator
- Known for her playful fusion recipes
- Regular at international culinary festivals
What She’s Doing Now
- Hosting food shows internationally
- Publishing recipe books
- Running her own YouTube channel
- Attending global food events
She encourages young women to dream big and use cooking as a form of self-expression.
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5. Rajshri Gupta
Rajshri Gupta is a rising name among female Indian chefs known for her love for regional food and honest storytelling.
Why She’s Famous
- Popular digital creator
- Showcases lesser-known Indian dishes
- Passionate about reviving heritage cooking techniques
What She’s Doing Now
- Running her food channel
- Collaborating with brands
- Conducting cooking workshops
Her approach encourages more young women to share their culinary heritage with pride.
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6. Nita Mehta
Nita Mehta is a legendary cookbook author and one of the most recognizable female Indian chefs for the past two decades.
Why She’s Famous
- Author of over 400+ cookbooks
- Runs the Nita Mehta Cooking Academy
- Known for bridging traditional and modern home cooking
What She’s Doing Now
- Managing her cooking institutes
- Active on YouTube
- Writing new cookbooks
She continues shaping India’s culinary landscape through education.
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7. Ritu Dalmia
One of the boldest names in the world of hospitality, Ritu Dalmia is a powerhouse in the Indian restaurant scene.
Why She’s Famous
- Co-founder of the renowned Diva Restaurants
- TV host on shows like “Italian Khana”
- Known for bringing authentic Italian cuisine to India
What She’s Doing Now
- Managing multiple restaurants
- Appearing on TV & food festivals
- Advocating for inclusivity in hospitality
She shows how failure can be a stepping stone for building something iconic.
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8. Garima Arora
Garima Arora is the first female chef in India to earn a Michelin star, placing her firmly among the top female chefs in India.
Why She’s Famous
- Michelin Star (2018) for her restaurant Gaa
- Featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table
- Known for pushing boundaries of modern Indian cuisine
What She’s Doing Now
- Running Gaa (Thailand)
- Opening collaborations across the globe
- Leading India’s culinary renaissance
Her story motivates women to break ceilings in industries where they are underrepresented.
9. Pooja Dhingra
Often called India’s Macaron Queen, Pooja Dhingra made French desserts accessible to India.
Why She’s Famous
- Founder of Le15 Patisserie
- Popular book author
- Host of the “NoSugarCoat” food podcast
- Instagram favorite among young bakers
- Inspirational Journey
- After studying in Le Cordon Bleu Paris, she returned to India with one vision—to bring classic French patisserie to Mumbai. With no investors and limited resources, she started small and built one of India’ most loved dessert brands.
What She’s Doing Now
- Managing Le15
- Writing cookbooks
- Running her podcast
- Hosting workshops
She inspires the next generation of pastry chefs, especially women who want to enter professional kitchens.
10. Doma Wang
Known as “The Momo Queen of India,” Doma Wang is a proud representative of Tibetan cuisine in the Indian culinary scene.
Why She’s Famous
- Bringing Tibetan flavors to the mainstream
- Founder of The Blue Poppy and The Momo I Am chain
- A loved figure in Kolkata’s food community
What She’s Doing Now
- Running her successful restaurant chains
- Participating in culinary events
- Promoting Northeast & Himalayan cuisine
Her journey proves that regional food, when done right, can win hearts everywhere
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Thinking of Becoming a Chef? Explore Culinary Courses
If these stories inspired you, it might be the right time to explore:
- Culinary diploma programs
- Baking and patisserie courses
- Short-term hobby classes
- Professional chef training
- Online certifications
- Learning under experts can give you:
- Strong fundamentals
- Confidence in the kitchen
- A chance to turn passion into a career
These women show you that with right skills, cooking world has lots of chances. The rise of top 10 women chefs in India remind you that passion, hard work, and creativity can change not only career but whole industry too. Maybe it’s Garima Arora winning Michelin star, or Pooja Dhingra leading India’s dessert change, or Ritu Dalmia changing fine dining, each brings something special on table.
Their journeys tell you kitchen is not just for cooking, it’s place to dream, try new things, and lead. If you love cooking or wanna build culinary career, their stories can push you to start first step.
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