The Story and Achievements of Garima Arora, India's First Michelin-Starred Chef and a Global Ambassador of Female Empowerment.
The story
Many weren't familiar with Garima Arora, the talented Indian chef, until the current season of MasterChef India aired. Yet, we're talking about a true legend, as she's the first Indian woman to receive a Michelin star. Her resume boasts an impressive list of experiences: Garima earned her culinary and pastry diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, working with chefs like René Redzepi of the renowned Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, Gordon Ramsay, and Gaggan Anand. The following year, she was named Asia's Best Female Chef by the 50 Best, and her restaurant Gaa in Bangkok ranked 16th on the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2019.
Hailing from Mumbai, Maharashtra, Garima's passion for cooking began when she was young, as she loved assisting her mother in the kitchen. There, she and her brother Nauroze Arora often experimented with the world of spices so important to their culture. However, before embarking on her culinary journey, she obtained a journalism degree from the University of Mumbai, working in the field for over six months before realizing that culinary arts were her true calling. Her beginnings? In India and then abroad, where her dedication led her to work at prestigious establishments, including The Oberoi hotel chain and the acclaimed Gaggan in Bangkok.
It all led up to April 2017, when Garima opened Gaa, a three-story restaurant in Bangkok. There, she skillfully merges contemporary tasting menus with traditional Indian cooking methods, creating a symphony of flavors that captivates diners. This notable achievement became a pivotal moment for women in the culinary field and another testament to Garima's talent. She is also a wife (to renowned pilot Rahul Verma) and a mother.
Garima Arora, a symbol of empowerment, continues to break barriers and prove that anyone can achieve peak success with hard work, skill, and a clear vision.
