Chef-restaurateur Rahul Akerkar has had a busy few months. He has teamed up with Aditya Birla Group's hospitality arm, Aditya Birla New Age (Abna). As creative director and director of cuisine, he will be responsible for developing the culinary vision of Abna, which operates the members-only club Jolie's in Mumbai. For starters, his role will involve rolling out restaurant chains in the premium casual dining space-the process will begin with a restaurant in Mumbai.
Akerkar launched deGustibus Hospitality in 1996 and the landmark restaurant Indigo (1999) in south Mumbai, serving fine-dine European fare. It shuttered in 2018. After parting ways with deGustibus, he opened Qualia in 2019, a fine-dining, technique-driven and sensorial restaurant. The pandemic ultimately forced its closure. Akerkar talks to Lounge about his culinary adventures, and authoring a book. Edited excerpts:
What has been keeping you busy?
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