Restaurant India News: The Leela Palace Chennai Brings Back Shefs at The Leela to Highlight Women in Culinary Arts

The Leela Palace Chennai has announced the 7th edition of Shefs at The Leela, in collaboration with Rupali Dean and Akanksha Dean of Dean With Us. This initiative recognizes and highlights the contributions of Indian women chefs who are shaping the future of gastronomy. The event reflects The Leela’s ongoing focus on diversity, inclusion, and advancing female talent in hospitality.

Building on the success of the 3rd edition previously hosted at the property, this year’s program brings together four women chefs: Sambhavi Joshi, known for her sustainable Italian-inspired cuisine; Sehaj Ghuman, recognized as India’s top pastry chef; Taiyaba Ali, who emphasizes the overlooked contributions of women to Awadhi cuisine; and Bunuma Patagiri, an expert in Asian cuisine and mentor at The Leela. Together, they will create a curated dining experience on 20 July 2025, combining global techniques with Indian traditions.

Ahead of the dinner, a panel discussion will take place on 19 July 2025, where the chefs will share their perspectives and experiences in an open, authentic dialogue. The dinner and the overall experience will be executed entirely by an all-women brigade, including the culinary and service teams at The Leela Palace Chennai.

“It is both a privilege and a responsibility to host a platform of this magnitude—one that not only showcases culinary innovation but also initiates a meaningful dialogue on gender inclusivity in luxury hospitality,” said Mr. Nishant Agarwal, Vice President and General Manager, The Leela Palace Chennai. “Shefs at The Leela resonates with our belief that excellence thrives in diversity, and this edition is particularly close to our hearts for the way it celebrates the silent grit, creativity, and brilliance of women shaping the future of our industry.”

The initiative, envisioned and curated by Rupali and Akanksha Dean, has already seen successful editions in Bengaluru, Gurugram, Chennai, and Jaipur. It was conceptualized under the guidance of Mr. Madhav Sehgal, SVP - Operations, South and Head of Sales, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, with the aim of giving more visibility to women chefs, a group often underrepresented in professional kitchens.

The multi-day event reinforces The Leela’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, supporting artistic excellence, and creating meaningful impact in the culinary and hospitality sectors.