On July 20, 2025, the luxurious Leela Palace Chennai will host the seventh edition of ‘Shefs at The Leela,’ a distinguished culinary event that celebrates the extraordinary talents of Indian women chefs. Curated by Rupali and Akanksha Dean of Dean With Us, the event showcases a powerful lineup of chefs—Sambhavi Joshi, Sehaj Ghuman, Taiyaba Ali, and Bunuma Patgiri—whose dishes promise to take guests on a journey that blends tradition with contemporary flair. The celebration begins on July 19 with a heartfelt panel discussion, setting the stage for an all-women curated dinner that highlights the creativity, resilience, and cultural richness of India’s culinary landscape. Among the standout dishes, Chef Sambhavi Joshi’s ‘Zuppa di Zucca e Petto di Anatra’ offers a luxurious pumpkin soup paired with smoked duck breast and parmesan foam, evoking the essence of the Italian countryside.
Chef Taiyaba Ali’s ‘Black Chickpea Shorba’ reimagines Awadhi cuisine with a rajma miso broth and chickpea crepe noodles, delivering a modern twist on traditional Lucknow flavours. Chef Bunuma Patgiri’s ‘Gochujang Braised Chicken with Bibimbap Sticky Rice’ harmonizes Thai, Singaporean, and Northeast Indian influences, offering bold yet comforting flavours that pay homage to Asian culinary artistry. To end the evening on a sweet note, Chef Sehaj Ghuman’s whimsical ‘Humble Chocobar’—featuring dark chocolate gelato, peanut parfait, and soft caramel—evokes childhood nostalgia while satisfying refined palates. These dishes are just a glimpse of the culinary treasures awaiting guests, each one a chapter in a larger narrative that amplifies women’s voices in kitchens across India. ‘Shefs at The Leela’ is not just a feast for the senses—it’s a movement that celebrates culinary excellence, cultural storytelling, and the transformative power of women in gastronomy.
