From a celebrated chef to a restauranteur and from a former MasterChef judge to a new mother, Chef Garima Arora has donned many hats, each marking a distinct chapter in her extraordinary journey. As she continues to redefine Indian cuisine on the global stage, we delve into the moments that have shaped her story.
For many, food is a daily routine, but for Chef Garima Arora, it is the very fabric of life. Raised in a traditional Punjabi household where meals were revered as sacred rituals, Garima’s life always revolved around food. She recounts, “I guess when you grow up in an environment where at lunch you’re talking about dinner, and dinner you’re thinking about what you’re going to eat for breakfast the next day, it’s natural that you gravitate towards a profession like mine.” Though her heart was in the kitchen, Garima academically pursued journalism. It wasn’t until later that she realised her true passion lay elsewhere, prompting her to move to the world’s culinary epicentre – Paris.
Her years in the City of Lights became a gateway to the world of gastronomy, enriching her understanding of food and deepening her passion. “I think the most amazing or the most exciting thing for me was to go to France, which was at the time the gastronomic capital of the world, and try all these ingredients for the first time. I think that opened up my mind a lot. The fact that French cuisine is structured was something very new to me.” Paris served as a huge turning point and foundation in her career, reshaping her philosophy about food and herself. Her culinary exploration didn’t stop there. In fact, it had only begun.
Garima’s journey took her to Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she honed her craft under the mentorship of the legendary René Redzepi. The experience was nothing short of a revelation, she mentions. “I think you need to immerse yourself in the whole experience, be a sponge, observe it all, and understand the WHY of everything,” she reflects. “It was brutal hours, it was 16 to 18 hours a day easy. But I wouldn’t trade that for anything else. That experience was priceless!”
In 2017, armed with invaluable experiences and a profound understanding of food, Garima set her sights on launching her culinary venture – Gaa, which would become her first true love, her ‘first baby’. In Thailand, Gaa was met with immediate acclaim, earning its first Michelin star in 2018. It was a moment of triumph but also the beginning of new challenges.
“We got our first, which was a great validation to have. And right a year and a half after that, we had COVID. And then there were three years of nothing, no business. In those three years, we just wanted to make sure we could pay salaries. People wouldn’t lose their jobs, and we would somehow get to the other side of things.”
The struggle was real, but Chef Arora and her team were resolute. And when the world finally reopened, they emerged stronger than ever, reclaiming their place at the table. “And again, when things opened up, we were lucky we could retain some of our staff.” In 2024, Gaa was awarded its second Michelin star. Yet, for Garima, the accolade wasn’t just a reflection of her vision – it was a collective achievement. “What’s exciting is to see the people who were involved in the process also enjoying it, as if it was their victory. And it is really theirs leading up to the second star.” She adds, “ I think that humanises the whole experience to such an extent that this is just not about you; it goes beyond you. It’s cliché to say it’s about the team and all of those things, but at the end of the day, yes, it is theirs.”
On a personal note, this year has been particularly momentous for Chef as she navigates the exciting new role of motherhood while continuing to expand her culinary empire. The balance, she admits, is far from easy, but her unwavering support system has been a lifeline. “I have a very, very supportive family, a great husband, and colleagues who are always there. When they say it takes a village, there’s a village built into a restaurant. We have 45 of us!”
As she reflects on her multifaceted journey, Garima recalls the unwavering support of her father, whose encouragement was the wind beneath her wings. From a humble beginning in a bustling kitchen to the heights of international acclaim, her passion for crafting exceptional culinary experiences has been the driving force behind her success. Now, with her first restaurant in India on the horizon and the potential for a return to MasterChef India, Garima is ready to take her next bold leap, filled with anticipation and purpose.
Chef Garima Arora’s journey is more than a testament to culinary brilliance—it is a reminder that with passion, perseverance, and consistency, the kitchen can be a space where dreams are not only cooked but also served to the world.