Restaurant India News: BiBi Founder Chet Sharma Takes on Global Culinary Leadership Role at Gymkhana

After making headlines for his creative culinary stint at BiBi, acclaimed chef Chet Sharma has been elevated as Global Culinary Director at Gymkhana, the two Michelin-starred Mayfair institution.

Sharma will continue to retain his role as founder and Chef Patron of his award-winning restaurant BiBi, that’s an ode to his both grandmothers.

Started in 2021, BiBi is a progressive restaurant serving dishes inspired by ingredients and memories from the Indian subcontinent. Chet will continue to lead BiBi, actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the restaurant together with Head Chef Erin Jackson Yates and Restaurant Director Millie Povey.

“BiBi is and always will remain a very personal project for me. I look forward to nurturing and overseeing the growth of my amazing team at BiBi who really deserve all the credit for the restaurant’s success,” he shared as he is equally excited to take a new role at Gymkhana.

“Returning to Gymkhana now feels like a homecoming of sorts. It’s a return to the place that – especially in the early days – educated my Indian palate more than anywhere else,” he shared proudly, thanking the owners Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi to lead two such incredible restaurants.

Chet has been working with JKS Restaurants for the last decade, beginning as Group Development Chef, where he helped shape the culinary direction of several of JKS’ Indian brands, including Gymkhana, before going on to open BiBi with JKS in 2021. The appointment represents both a full-circle moment in Chet’s professional journey and the longstanding relationship he shares with the JKS team.

“Chet has been an integral part of JKS for many years. He has an innate understanding of Gymkhana, alongside the leadership and vision to lead the brand on a global stage,” added Karam Sethi, Co-Founder, JKS Restaurants.

In his new role as Global Culinary Director, Chet will oversee Gymkhana London and the brand's global growth in identified regions of North America and the Middle East, as well as supporting and leading its incumbent Executive and Head Chef teams.

Gymkhana is a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Mayfair, London. Opened in 2013, the restaurant earned its first star one year later, followed by a second star in 2024. The name is taken from the Indian social and sports clubs of the same name, where members of high society socialise, eat, drink and celebrate.