Born in Mumbai in 1986, Pooja Dhingra trained at César Ritz in Switzerland and Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. In 2010, she founded Le15 Patisserie, India’s first macaron-focused French-style pastry brand, becoming a leading figure in modern pastry art.
Pooja Dhingra was born in 1986 in Mumbai, into a family deeply rooted in the culinary world—her father and brother Vaarun Dhingra were both involved in the restaurant industry. She initially studied law in Mumbai but shifted paths in 2004, enrolling in hospitality at César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland. She later trained in pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. It was during her time in Paris that she discovered Pierre Hermé’s macarons—a pivotal moment that inspired her to bring them back to India .
In March 2010, she opened her first Le15 Patisserie in Mumbai, aiming to introduce India to the authentic experience of French pastry. The business quickly took off, and the team soon grew to over 40 people . In 2016, she expanded with a second venture, Le15 Café .
Her work has been recognized internationally. She was named to Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list in 2014, and later to Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30. She is the author of The Big Book of Treats, a bestseller in India, along with several other successful cookbooks. She also appeared as a judge on MasterChef India (Hindi edition, Sony Entertainment Television).
In June 2025, she received a historic honor: the La Liste Pastry Game Changer Award, becoming the first Indian chef and the first woman ever to receive the prestigious international recognition.
