Garima Arora
Garima Arora | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Chef, hotelier, restaurateur, entrepreneur, judge |
| Known for | First Indian woman to receive a Michelin star; first female Indian chef to helm a two-Michelin star restaurant |
| Notable work | Gaa (restaurant) |
Garima Arora is a distinguished Indian Master Chef, hotelier judge, Restaurateur, and entrepreneur. In 2018, she made history by securing her inaugural Michelin star for her Bangkok-based restaurant, Gaa, marking her as the first Indian woman to receive this honor. By 2023, Gaa was awarded a second Michelin star, positioning it as only the second Indian restaurant worldwide to hold two stars and establishing Arora as the pioneering female Indian chef to helm a two-Michelin star venue.
Early life and career
Raised in a Punjabi Arora family in Mumbai, Arora initially pursued a career in journalism before transitioning to culinary arts in 2008. She enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, completing her studies in 2010. Her professional journey included working alongside renowned chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and René Redzepi at Noma in Copenhagen. Subsequently, she opened her own establishment, Gaa, in central Bangkok in April 2017.
Gaa offers Modern Indian fine dining set within a traditional Thai residence located in the heart of Bangkok.
Awards and associations
Arora and her restaurant earned a Michelin star in November 2018, making her the first female Indian chef to receive this prestigious recognition.
In March 2019, Restaurant Gaa appeared for the first time on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list at number 16, also receiving the Highest New Entry Award.
February 2019 saw Arora honored as Asia's Best Female Chef by the World's 50 Best Restaurants organization.
By June 2019, Restaurant Gaa was ranked number 95 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list.
In August 2019, Arora initiated Food Forward India, an event dedicated to shaping the future of Indian gastronomy. The inaugural gathering in Mumbai brought together industry experts for discussions, tastings, and panel sessions.
She holds a position as a judge on MasterChef India (2023).
In December 2023, Arora was awarded her second Michelin star, becoming the first and only female Indian chef to reach this achievement.