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When you think of celebrity chefs, you probably picture gleaming kitchens, perfect plating, and a dash of glamour. But in India, professional cooking has ballooned into a multi-crore empire—and leading the charge are chefs who have managed to turn their culinary skills into global brands. From TV screens to Michelin-star restaurants, these chefs have proven that cooking can be as profitable as it is a passion. So, who leads the list as India's richest chef? The answer won't surprise you—but the stories behind each name will. Let's take a delicious dive into the world and wealth of India's top culinary icons. 1. Sanjeev Kapoor—India’s Richest Chef With Rs 1165 Crore Net Worth When it comes to Indian cuisine, Sanjeev Kapoor is not just a chef—he's an institution. A pioneer in the culinary space, Kapoor became a household name in the 1990s through his legendary TV show Khana Khazana (1993), which ran for more than 17 years—making it Asia's longest-running cooking show. His warm smile and simple recipes turned him into every Indian mother's trusted kitchen companion. But beyond the television fame, Kapoor built an empire. He has penned more than 150 cookbooks, is running a chain of restaurants under the Yellow Chilli brand, and has ventured into kitchen appliances, food products, and even digital cooking platforms. According to Mint, his net worth is an astonishing Rs 1165 crore, making him India’s richest chef by a wide margin. His success is a reminder that in the right hands, a ladle can indeed be mightier than a sword. Fun fact: Sanjeev Kapoor once cooked for India's Prime Minister at an official banquet—not every chef can say that! 2. Vikas Khanna: From Amritsar's Langar to Michelin Glory Next up is the ever-charming Vikas Khanna, a global culinary ambassador and a familiar face from MasterChef India. From working in his grandmother's kitchen in Amritsar to becoming a Michelin-starred chef in New York, Khanna's story itself is everyone's dream come true. He is much more than just a chef: he is a filmmaker, an author, a humanitarian, and an irrepressible optimist. His directorial debut, The Last Color received critical acclaim, and his restaurant, Junoon, in New York, earned him a Michelin Star for several consecutive years. According to Lifestyle Asia, Khanna's net worth is estimated to be between Rs 84 crore and Rs 127 crore. He has also been accorded honours such as Harvard University's Person of the Year and the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award for his food establishments. Fun Fact: Vikas Khanna once cooked for the Dalai Lama—and sent a personal invite to the Pope! 3. Kunal Kapur—The Gentleman Chef of Indian Television Renowned for his understated elegance and calm demeanor, Chef Kunal Kapur is among the most respected names in Indian gastronomical circles. Best recognized as a judge on MasterChef India, Kapur combines the finesse of a chef with the flair of a showman. From his early kitchen experiments to hosting international food festivals, he's built a reputation for reinventing Indian cuisine without losing its soul. His net worth, as reported by various media, lies between Rs 8.71 crore and Rs 43.57 crore—a testimony to his success on television, brand endorsements, and restaurants. Fun Fact: Kunal Kapur once made a 17-foot-long kebab for a world record—talk about going big! 4. Ranveer Brar—The Charmer With Culinary Flair Handsome, witty, and effortlessly cool, Ranveer Brar is one of India's most loved celebrity chefs. A journey that started with training under Lucknow's kebab ustads at 17 years of age, this talented chef is unstoppable. He has hosted a number of food shows, judged MasterChef India, and is keeping everyone abuzz with his judgments in Celebrity MasterChef. DNA India reports that he earns about Rs 45 lakh every month and has a net worth of about Rs 41 crore in total. It is the combination of his traditional culinary techniques with modern storytelling that has made him a cultural icon. Fun Fact: Ranveer Brar was among the youngest executive chefs in India when he was just 25! 5. Harpal Singh Sokhi—The ‘Energetic Turbanator’ You can't miss Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi; his infectious energy and his signature "Namak Shamak" catchphrase make him one of the most entertaining chefs on television. Known for hit shows such as Turban Tadka and Sirf Tees Minute, Sokhi blends humor with heritage in his unique cooking style, making it both fun and full of flavor. He has been in the limelight lately for being a part of Laughter Chef India, and his net worth is approximately Rs 35 crores. Fun Fact: Harpal Singh Sokhi once worked as a chef on a cruise liner before becoming a TV sensation! 6. Garima Arora—India’s First Female Michelin Star Chef Breaking barriers and rewriting culinary history, Garima Arora became the first Indian woman to receive a Michelin Star. Her Bangkok restaurant Gaa earned international acclaim for its inventive fusion of Indian and Thai flavors. She didn't stop there—she went on to get two Michelin Stars, something no other woman from India has achieved so far. Garima is also the founder of Food Forward India, an initiative celebrating India's rich gastronomic heritage. Her estimated net worth: Rs 40 crore. Fun Fact: Before becoming a chef, Garima was a journalist. Now, that's what you call a career makeover! 7. Atul Kochhar—The Michelin Star Maestro in London UK-based Atul Kochhar is among the rare Indian chefs to have earned two Michelin Stars. His London restaurant Benares redefined Indian fine dining, and he’s since built a culinary empire with his Atul Kochhar Hospitality Group that manages several successful restaurants around the world. Besides cooking, Kochhar is also a prolific author with six cookbooks under his name, including Curries of the World and Simple Indian. According to the Indian Business Times, his estimated net worth stands at Rs 33.4 crore, approximately $4 million. Fun Fact: Atul Kochhar's first job was at the Oberoi Group in Delhi, and he has been redefining Indian cuisine ever since. The Rise of India's Culinary Millionaires From home kitchens to global stages, these chefs have turned their culinary mastery into financial success and fame beyond the confines of the kitchen. Whether it's the business acumen of Sanjeev Kapoor or the pathbreaking Michelin journey of Garima Arora, each one has managed to stir the pot in a unique way.
