Vikas Khanna, star chef
When Khanna learnt that the next season of cooking game show MasterChef India is going vegetarian, the idea excited him. He now expects to see some innovative vegetarian recipes coming to the fore.
“I often meet people who say their mother or wife is an excellent cook but cannot participate in cooking game shows because they are pure vegetarian and do not cook meat.”
Rishi Verma, Executive Chef, Sattviko
Reflecting the food philosophy of ancient India, especially the Vedas, Sattviko has gone beyond run-of-the-mill dishes, stretching the realm to Mexican, Mediterranean and street food. Sabudana poha, Quad Burger, Vada Croissant and Spinach Quesadillas and other signatures have hit the right cord.
“We’re perhaps the only sattvik restaurant and stand tall in this niche food market, dominated by Mughlai and Chinjabi cuisine. There’s no garlic or onion in our preparations.”
Satej Saigaonkar, Executive Chef, Courtyard by Marriott, Ahmedabad
When the hotel opened, they decided to start a pure vegetarian restaurant. They have started another Shakahari in Pune.
“Shakahari has an instant connect with vegetarians. We offer cuisines of northern and central India.”
Chef Deepak
Shraman, The Ashok, Delhi The only 100 per cent vegetarian restaurant in a five-star hotel in Delhi
“We felt the vegetarian market in India is growing, so why not start a sattvik restaurant? Also, vegetarian food was never synonymous with fine-dining, as it is now.”
Ajit Bangera, Sr. Executive Chef, ITC Grand Chola Chola
Royal Vega at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, claims to be India’s first all-veg luxe restaurant Concept: To bring the finest vegetarian food from across the country with finest ingredients
“First, India has the largest number of vegetarians in the world and second, most of the wealthy business houses here are vegetarians.”
Manu Chandra
Executive Chef and Partner, Monkey Bar and The Fatty Bao and Executive Chef, Olive Beach, Bangalore
“People are veg due to upbringing or choice. The moneyed class has always been vegetarian. Haryana has the highest vegetarianism per capita in India.”