A Seat at The Table: The Leela Palace Chennai Hosts The 7TH Edition of ‘SHEFS AT THE LEELA’
Celebrating the voices shaping the future of cuisine – and the spaces that empower them.
Mumbai, India: The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts proudly hosted the seventh edition of its pioneering culinary initiative, Shefs at The Leela, at The Leela Palace Chennai, reaffirming its commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and reimagining the contours of luxury hospitality through purpose-led programming.
Launched in partnership with Dean With Us, Shefs at The Leela is a first-of-its-kind platform dedicated to celebrating women chefs who are reshaping the culinary narrative—across regions, disciplines, and global boundaries. In a world where professional kitchens often remain male-dominated, this initiative not only honours the artistry and innovation of women in gastronomy but also seeks to inspire systemic change by providing visibility, opportunity, and mentorship.
Curated in 2022, the initiative has evolved into a cultural movement—one that intersects purpose with palate, and identity with innovation. With every edition, Shefs at The Leela elevates emerging voices and narratives that deserve to be seen, heard, and savoured.
The seventh edition unfolded over two days of thoughtful exchange and immersive indulgence. The journey began on 19th July with an afternoon of mentorship and dialogue, where four exceptional chefs—Sambhavi Joshi, Sehaj Ghuman, Taiyaba Ali, and Bunuma Patagiri—shared their personal journeys with a group of young culinary students in a dynamic panel discussion and interactive cook-off. The event offered a rare behind-the-pass view into the making of a chef—not just through technique, but through resilience, storytelling and reinvention.
The culmination was a gala dinner on 20th July at The Grand Ballroom—a four-course, sit-down experience co-created by the participating chefs and an all-women culinary and service brigade from The Leela Palace Chennai. With live music, emerald-green accents symbolising creative power and growth, and story cards accompanying each course, the evening was a celebration of nuance, heritage, and bold contemporary expression.
“True luxury, we believe, must be inclusive—not only in who it welcomes, but in the stories it chooses to tell” said Nishant Agarwal, Vice President and General Manager, The Leela Palace Chennai. “As custodians of culture and excellence, it is our privilege to spotlight the incredible women who are shaping the future of cuisine. This platform reflects a larger commitment to championing equity, encouraging dialogue, and creating transformative experiences that transcend the plate.”
With six impactful editions preceding it, the second Chennai chapter marked a continued evolution of Shefs at The Leela as a platform that nurtures talent, builds community, and honours the often-unseen emotional and cultural contribution of women in hospitality. Through panel discussions, curated dinners, student engagement and cultural exchanges, the initiative continues to influence the industry’s dialogue on gender, diversity, and leadership.
From reinterpreting Indian cuisine with global influences to spotlighting regional narratives that often go unnoticed, the Shefs are rewriting the culinary lexicon—and The Leela is proud to be a stage for their stories. As the brand continues to lead with purpose—through sustainability, wellness, artistry, and hyperpersonalisation—Shefs at The Leela remains a luminous expression of its vision for the future: one where luxury is soulful, storytelling is sacred, and every voice finds its place at the table.
