Michelin Star Chef, Atul Kochhar was awarded in the new category of Cordon Bleu by the Triangle Media Group for his educational contribution in bringing South Asian cuisine to the mainstream with a twist!
Kochhar started his cooking career at The Oberoi group of hotels in India in 1994 and was appointed as the head chef at the Tamarind restaurant, in Mayfair, London when he first came to the county. After this there was no turning back.Now Kochhar is a well known TV chef. He has represented the south east of England in 2007, 2008 and 2009 in the BBC's Great British Menu. His acclaimed cookbook Indian Essence was so well received that he is currently working on a second book on Indian vegetarian food. He also teaches Indian cookery at the nearby Thames Valley University.
Kochhar owns Benares an elite restaurant in Mayfair London with a menu that reflects his passion for food from all areas of India. In January 2007, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. In 2009, Kochhar opened two restaurants: Vatika in Wickham Vineyard, Hampshire, and Ananda in Dublin, Ireland.
Kochhar has also signed a deal with P&O Cruises to launch a fine dining restaurant onboard the company’s new superliner, the Azura, in 2010. The chef will operate a restaurant called Sindhu serving his signature modern British dishes with an Indian twist. He is currently working on his latest title, Curries of the World.TMG which predominantly consists of Law, Media & Politics Graduates, biennially celebrates honours and recognises South Asian achievement in the global media. Work of those with a legal, academic or political focus is the main criteria for selection. The awards are announced by Professor & Media Lawyer David Flint from Sydney and presented by Safina Halima who is the senior Judge of TMG who is an Academic and Barrister. She says;
‘It was a tantalising opportunity to present award at such a mouth watering and sensational venue in the middle of Mayfair London. We are pleased to honour and recognise the work of Mr. Kocher for putting South Asians on the map for a superior cuisine which ordinarily and traditionally is the preserve of women.’
Actor, Teacher and Lawyer Haresh Sood who is the Global Ambassador of TMG and heads the entire awards adds
‘We are so pleased to have introduced this category. Food is something which South Asians are known by all around the world. I have visited various countries and often been asked to cook Indian food for people or even introduced it to them which has always been thoroughly enjoyed!’
Other members of the TMG Committee present included the selection committee and Australian associate Tia Starey who added ‘It was a marvellous evening!’
Kochhar says; finally my work has been recognised. I am so honoured to be awarded in the Cordon Bleu category. He went onto joke; when I was awarded a Michelin Star my father said ‘don’t they make tyres’.
All the winners are published in a limited edition Global Awards Magazine which is available online. This year part of the proceeds of the magazine sale will go to The Little Princesses Trust which is a unique charity that provides real hair wigs to children suffering from hair loss due to cancer treatment. Haresh Sood will be donating his 18 inch hair to the charity and have a wig made out of it. The magazine priced at £9.99. To order a copy go to; http://www.trianglemediagroup.org.
Previous TMG winners include Actresses Aishwarya Rai and Shabana Azmi, filmmakers Farah Khan and Jagmohan Mundhra and Politician Manjula Paul and Haresh Sood after which he was made the Ambassador of the awards in 2005. For further information log onto www.trianglemediagroup.org
Note to Editors
For images of the winners and to request an interview with Filmmaker Onir, please email or telephone Philip Smith
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