Hailing from the northern part of India, Rishikesh, Chef Rahul has been raised at the foothills of the Himalayas. Growing up in a tourist destination gave him an innate understanding of diverse cultures and cuisines. Raised in a predominantly vegetarian community, he developed an early intrigue for food and the possibilities within vegetarian cooking. Chef Rahul’s innovative culinary skills and passion for vegetarian cuisine earned him the title of Future Great Chef of the Year at the Gault & Millau UAE 2023 awards, cementing his place as a rising star in the industry. His approach to food was further spotlighted in a special feature on MasterChef India, where his modern interpretation of Indian cuisine was nationally recognized. With a rich background working at some of India’s top restaurants, his methodical creativity is now focused on evoking emotion through every bite, leading the way in shaping Dubai’s first vegetarian fine dining experience.

“Cooking is like meditation for me. I have possibly inherited this from my grandfather, who was a chef for the Maharajas. I believe that taste is everything. A good meal has the power to rejuvenate and change perceptions. With AVATARA, we attempt to bring about change in the way people look at vegetarian food”