Sandeep Namboodiry's

The passionate chef stepped into the kitchen at the age of 7 to flip pancakes, and he hasn’t left it since, in spirit. He chats with HELLO! about his chic new eatery Mesa Lodhi, crafting a menu that sparks joy and a dish that delights him

- SHASHI SUNNY

We’ve all heard the saying ‘looks good enough to eat,’ but Chef Sandeep Namboodiry takes that to a whole new level. “I love putting on a good show so that everyone leaves happy,” he says, emphasising the importance of first impressions. Take, for example, the Hogwarts Pumpkin Pastry inspired by the Harry Potter series: a spiced pumpkin pastry served with butterbeer sauce, accompanied by a small jukebox playing music from the film — surely a treat cherished by fans.

At Mesa Lodhi, a Modern European with-local-influenced fine diner in Lodhi Colony, New Delhi, every dish on the menu incorporates props and a variety of textures to engage all the senses. “The dining experience I provide is highly visual. The diners’ reaction is always ‘WOW!’” he enthuses, with sparkling eyes that reveal his passion for everything he does. This includes his latest restaurant venture, operated in partnership with Anam Kalsia. A trained Bharatnatyam dancer and science graduate, Anam developed a deep interest in food, leading her to pursue a six month culinary course in Paris. With Sandeep’s unique approach to food and Anam’s front-of-house skills, they form an A-plus team. They also co-own an artisanal food company, Pindcart, offering products like truffle-flavoured potato chips made from potatoes sourced from Anam’s family farm in Yamuna Nagar, which are set to hit the market soon. Recently, they have also taken over the management of the popular Elma’s café in New Delhi.

EARLY BEGINNINGS