Essayer OR - Gratuit

Freshly Reserved

Elle India

|

February 2023

Poised on the brink of a comeback with anew restaurant Lupa, chef Manu Chandra chats with Isha Mayer about it, and his journey so far

- Isha Mayer

Freshly Reserved

Having interviewed chef Manu Chandra earlier, I can vouch for the fact that nothing can prepare you for his unapologetically blunt demeanour-a quality I admire and wish to possess. As I geared up for a Zoom interview with this top chef on a Monday, the familiarity excited me, but the idea of tackling his curveball responses made me equally restless. This was until I took a quick peek at the one-word description of himself on Instagram: restless. I realised we shared a common word to describe ourselves. While this resulted in an instant sense of solace, it also left me further intrigued. What could possibly make a culinary maestro like him 'restless'? After all, he's cut his teeth in a competitive industry for nearly two decades.

"It defines me," he satisfies my curiosity. "I'm someone who needs to stay occupied. I need to keep creating. I don't like resting on my laurels, and I need to keep challenging myself." And that's exactly what he's been doing ever since he stepped onto the Indian culinary scene.

ROAD TO SUCCESS

After studying at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and working with some of the best international chefs and restaurants, Chandra returned to India in 2004 and became part of the Olive group. If you thought Jeremey Allen White's Carmen-from the critically acclaimed show The Bear-was doing an impressive job as a chef in his late twenties, you'll be surprised to know that Chandra had unlocked the secret of success in his early twenties.

Elle India

Cette histoire est tirée de l'édition February 2023 de Elle India.

Abonnez-vous à Magzter GOLD pour accéder à des milliers d'histoires premium sélectionnées et à plus de 9 000 magazines et journaux.

Déjà abonné ?

PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE Elle India

Elle India

Elle India

HELP...The Algorithm Ate My Itinerary

In an era where holidays are curated for the camera, Kannagi Desai asks if we've stopped truly enjoying travel

time to read

4 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

FROM Zhang's TABLE

As The China Kitchen at Hyatt Regency Delhi unveils its most ambitious menu yet, Vaishnavi Rana explores how Chef Zhang Hongsheng is reshaping the Indian gaze on Chinese cuisine

time to read

1 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

OCTOLA II: Ushering In The New Era Of Arctic Ultra Luxury

Craving a staycation that redefines luxury beneath the northern lights? Octola II-the trailblazer in ultra-private Arctic escapes-unveils its latest wilderness retreat deep in the heart of Finnish Lapland, finds Isha Kothari

time to read

2 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

INSIDE INDITEX: Style WITH A CONSCIENCE

Zoha Castelino visits the fashion group's Barcelona headquarters to learn that a cooler, cleaner future is not just possible but resolutely on its way

time to read

3 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

Vibrant Victoria

From world-class sports & wineries, to epic landscapes & precious wildlife, Isha Mayer takes you on a wild ride through Australia's gorgeous state

time to read

5 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

RITU KUMAR The First Lady Of INDIAN FASHION

Anamm Inamdar traces the journey & contributions of the pioneering designer

time to read

3 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

The Quiet Beauty Of LA MACEDO ESTATE

Discover Assagao’s quietest corner, where Vianaar crafts a villa that lets nature take the lead, with Vishakha Punjabi

time to read

1 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

Light, Lifted, GUCCI

The GG Marmont returns in sorbet hues, a fresh Florence-inspired silhouette joins the line-up, & classic pieces get a new season update, reports Anamm Inamdar

time to read

2 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

HAUTE HOSPITALITY

In a world of creative collaborations, fashion, food & experience are coming together now more than ever, reports Isha Mayer

time to read

5 mins

June 2025

Elle India

Elle India

THE Scent KEEPERS

Krishika Bhatia explores the shift towards emotionally resonant perfumes & dives deep into their role as potent carriers of memory & identity

time to read

5 mins

June 2025