Garima Arora: India’s First Female Chef to Receive a Michelin Star

Garima Arora has made history as the first Indian woman to earn a prestigious Michelin star.

Her restaurant, Gaa, located in Bangkok and opened in 2017, quickly garnered acclaim for blending Indian and Thai flavors in a unique and artistic way. In 2019, Gaa was awarded a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide for Bangkok, Phuket, and Phang-Nga.

A standout dish on her tasting menu features grilled unripe jackfruit, roti, and homemade pickles. While unripe jackfruit is a staple in India, the roti is made from the ripe fruit, which is commonly used in Thailand.

Gaa is situated near Gaggan, a two-Michelin-star restaurant run by renowned Indian chef, Gaggan Anand.

Arora believes that India will see a growing number of chefs earning Michelin stars in the future.

In an email to Dinogo, Arora shared her thoughts: "With a population of over a billion and a culinary heritage that spans centuries, we should be setting food trends rather than following them. In my view, the world’s top chefs and restaurants should hail from India."

Arora, who was raised in Mumbai, found early inspiration in her Punjabi roots, especially from her father, who had a passion for introducing exotic foods to the family.

She began her career in journalism but soon found herself captivated by the world of cooking.

In an interview, Arora shared, "I've always dreamed of owning a restaurant one day. But after just six months as a journalist, I realized I should pursue it sooner rather than later—cooking is a profession for the young, after all."

Arora trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, later gaining experience at renowned establishments such as Gordon Ramsay in the UK and René Redzepi's Noma in Copenhagen.

Arora initially moved to Bangkok to work with Anand, but when that opportunity fell through, she stayed in Thailand. Soon after, Anand and three other investors offered her the chance to launch her own restaurant.

Gaggan and Gaa are now part of the 27 Michelin-starred restaurants in Bangkok and Phuket featured in the latest Michelin Guide, with 10 new additions including Gaa, Canvas, PRU, and Suan Thip.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, stated, "This year's guide highlights the growing talent in Thailand's culinary scene, with numerous new restaurants joining the list, including 13 that focus on Thai cuisine. This further solidifies Thailand's status as a premier destination for gastronomic experiences."