Atul Kochhar is an Indian-born, British based chef, restaurateur, and television personality. His unique talent has changed the way people perceive and experience Indian cuisine. Atul was one of the first two Indian chefs to receive a Michelin star, awarded in Londonin 2001 whilst at Tamarind. His contemporary style and love for traditional cooking led him to open his own restaurant Benares, which won him a second Michelin star in 2007. Since then he has opened numerous successful, award-winning restaurants; Sindhu and Hawkyns in Buckinghamshire and Indian Essence in Kent. In 2018, Atul left Benares to pursue other independent ventures, most recently Kanishka in Mayfair, London which opened March 2019 and another new London site has been announced. Kochhar makes regular appearances on television shows including Saturday Kitchen, Masterchef Goes Large,Great British Menu, BBC2's Million Pound Menu and Saturday Morning with James Martin. Additionally, Atul has written a number of successful cookbooks; Simple Indian; Fish, Indian Style; Curries of the World and 30 Minute Curries.
Early life
Kochhar was born in Jamshedpur in India and began his cooking career at The Oberoi Group of hotels in India. He gained his diploma in Hotel Management from The Institute of Hotel ManagementChennai. In June 1993 Kochhar graduated to the five star deluxe Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi. 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 January 1994 Kochhar moved to the fine dining restaurant of renowned chef Bernard Kunig. Kochhar continued his cooking career and in January 2001 at the age of 31, Kochhar was the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star.
Restaurants
Kochhar was let go from London's Benares Restaurent in 2018 after sending a series of Islamophobic tweets to actress Priyanka Chopra. Atul Kochhar's contract with JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai was also terminated following these posts on Twitter. Kochhar opened restaurant Kanishka in March 2019 on London's Maddox Street. The Restaurant showcases Indian cuisine from the easternmost region of India, the Seven Sister States. It spans two floors with room for over 120 diners, along with an outside terrace and private garden room. Kochhar also has three other restaurants. Sindhu at The Compleat Angler in Marlow; Hawkyns at The Crown Inn in Amersham and Indian Essence in Petts Wood. A further London restaurant has recently been announced to open in Westminster late 2019.
Kochhar has been featured in numerous television series; most recently BBC2's Million Pound Menu where he invested in new dining concepts. 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. 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. Furthermore, he also appeared in Market Kitchen and Saturday Kitchen series 1–3.
Personal life
Kochhar is a fan of cricket and enjoys mountaineering. As a chef, he takes a strong stand on sustainable fishing and always uses responsibly sourced fish in his restaurants. He lives in West London with his family.
