First Michelin-starred chef of Indian origin to be awarded an MBE

For his services to UK Cuisine, Hospitality and to International Trade, Chef Vineet Bhatia has been awarded an MBE in the Overseas and International list. He tweeted: “Honoured to be the first Michelin-starred chef of Indian origin to be awarded an MBE. A wonderful privilege to have the opportunity to make the world “See things differently” about the United Kingdom. I dedicate this to my mother & wife for their unconditional love & support!” Vineet Bhatia arrived in London way back in 1993 with little more than a suitcase full of books, a lofty ambition, his love of Indian cuisine and a passion for cooking. Fast-forward a few years and Vineet is now a globally renowned chef and seen as the face of progressive modern Indian cuisine having published successful cookery books, recorded multiple TV series, opened several restaurants across the globe and is the first Indian chef-patron to be been awarded a Michelin star. When he is not cooking at one of his many restaurants or shooting for TV, he is setting records and creating experiences of a culinary kind. Most memorable was the trek up to the Everest Base Camp in June 2018 to set up a ‘popup restaurant’ for ten lucky diners that flew in via helicopter. In December 2019 he prepared a gourmet Indian meal each day on board the French cruise liner Ponant along with Chef Alain Ducasse’s team, for the ten-day sail to Antarctica.