IT'S NOT 'MODERN INDIAN FOOD'- IT'S THE FOOD OF MODERN INDIA

In an exclusive interview, celebrated chef Manish Mehrotra of MMCA challenges culinary labels, urging a shift in perspective-from 'Modern Indian Food' to the authentic, evolving cuisine of modern India, focusing on trends, his plans and expert advice to fellow chefs...excerpts

- BY NUSRA

After over a decade shaping Indian Accent and championing Indian cuisine globally, what inspired you to start fresh with MMCA - and what's the core idea behind it?

I've been part of the hospitality industry for almost 30 years now.

I joined hotel management school in 1993, graduated in 1996, and have been working ever since. After three decades immersed in this world - creating, learning, gaining, and yes, losing along the way - I felt it was time to pause.

I needed a break, a moment to step back and reflect. Thirty years is a significant stretch, and I had reached a stage in life where I needed to reassess what came next. With my daughter, off to pursue her own paths, it felt like the right time to stop, breathe, and consider what truly excited me now.

That break eventually led to MMCA. It's not just another restaurant - it’s a more personal, layered journey into culinary expression, experience, and community. It's a space that reflects where I am today, creatively and personally.

What's the vision behind MMCA, and how does it go beyond just being a restaurant venture?