CONNECTOR.AE 54 CONNECTOR.AE 55 Lifestyle Lifestyle Connector In Conversation With Chef Rahul Rana Of MICHELIN Star Avatara Avatara, nestled in Dubai Hills, stands out as the world’s first and only vegetarian Indian MICHELIN star fine dining experience. It epitomises innovation and excellence in vegetarian fine dining, setting a remarkable precedent in the city’s gastronomic landscape. Connector recently spoke with Chef Rahul Rana, the visionary behind this culinary gem. With a culinary journey beginning in 2007 at Ananda The Himalayas, Chef Rahul Rana honed his skills, specialising in delicate pastries. Reflecting on his journey from Rishikesh to Dubai, Chef Rahul shares, “My journey from Rishikesh to Dubai has been an incredible blend of learning and growth. Growing up in Rishikesh, I had two paths: the army or becoming a chef. When the army didn’t work out, I pursued cooking, which turned out to be my true calling. The rich vegetarian traditions of my hometown instilled a deep respect for natural ingredients. Working at places like ‘Ananda, The Himalayas’, and ‘Trèsind’ helped me understand the global culinary landscape and refine my skills. These experiences led to the creation of Avatara, where I strive to elevate vegetarian cuisine to new heights.” The Story Behind Creating Avatara Vegetarian cuisine often faces misconceptions of being basic and lacking flavour diversity. Chef Rahul aims to challenge such notions through Avatara’s innovative concept. He shares insights into the beginning of Avatara, aiming to redefine perceptions surrounding vegetarian dining. He says, “The idea for Avatara originated from my deep-rooted belief in the richness of vegetarian cuisine. While working on the His expertise led him to Dubai, where he served as the Executive Pastry Chef at the MICHELIN-selected Trèsind in 2016. Hailing originally from Rishikesh in India, here’s how Chef Rahul Rana’s journey in the culinary world began. From India To Dubai, A Journey Filled With Flavours Originally from Rishikesh, India, Chef Rahul was nurtured amidst the Himalayan foothills, fostering his early fascination with food within a mainly vegetarian community. His inventive culinary flair and dedication to vegetarian cuisine garnered him the esteemed title of Future Great Chef of the Year at the Gault & Millau UAE 2023 awards, solidifying his status as a rising star in the culinary realm. Influenced by his grandfather, who served as a chef for Indian Maharajas, Chef Rahul gained a profound respect for culinary heritage and hospitality. This regal legacy interpenetrates his meticulous attention to detail, presentation and ingredient selection, as he strives to craft dining experiences that honour the opulence and depth of Indian gastronomy.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzU4NjA=