Atul Kochhar is an Indian-born, British-based chef and restaurateur. He was born on August 31, 1969, in Jamshedpur, India. Atul Kochhar is widely recognized for his culinary expertise in Indian cuisine and his contributions to popularizing Indian flavors on the global stage. Kochhar began his culinary journey by attending hotel management school in India. He then honed his skills at prestigious establishments, including the Oberoi Group of Hotels and the Taj Group. Kochhar's passion for exploring and reimagining Indian cuisine led him to venture to the United Kingdom, where he made a significant impact on the culinary scene. In 1994, Atul Kochhar became the head chef at Tamarind, a fine-dining Indian restaurant in London. Under his guidance, Tamarind became the first Indian restaurant in the world to be awarded a Michelin star in 2001, setting a new benchmark for Indian cuisine in the fine-dining realm.