I wanted to be part of UAE’s success story, says chef Vineet Bhatia

I wanted to be part of UAE’s success story, says chef Vineet Bhatia

He revisits his Dubai journey even as he is thankful for all the accolades coming his way, including the latest, an MBE

Published: Wed 18 Jan 2023, 11:56 AM Last updated: Wed 18 Jan 2023, 12:03 PM

Chef Vineet Bhatia’s name is synonymous with classy and creative dining. Starting his journey as a chef in 1985, after being rejected from flight school for being too short, today Bhatia stands tall among his contemporaries and predecessors.

The first chef of Indian origin to get a Michelin star, Bhatia has played a tremendous role in elevating Indian food from simple, homemade fare to a mainstream part of international cuisines. Now, the British government has recognized his work and bestowed him with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

A Dubai resident for over 18 years, Chef Bhatia was awarded the Golden Visa by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for the contributions he has made to the dining scene in the city. He runs two restaurants in Dubai: Indya by Vineet and Indego by Vineet.

In 2021, Vineet was named culinary ambassador for the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign. He owns eleven restaurants including the iconic KAMA by Vineet, which is located