A highly skilled and innovative culinary artist, Chef Adwait Anantwar is best known for
revolutionizing Indian cuisine in the United Arab Emirates. Born and raised in Nagpur,
Maharashtra, Adwait discovered his passion for cooking while studying software applications.
Despite societal and familial pressures, he chose to follow his heart, leaving behind a
career in technology to pursue his culinary dreams.
Adwait began his culinary journey in India, but his career truly took off when he moved to
the UAE in 2014. He spent considerable time working under the guidance of Chef Himanshu
Saini, honing his skills, and developing a deep understanding of the importance of
innovation and hard work in the culinary arts. Atelier House Hospitality recognized his
talent and offered him to curate Mohalla, an Indian restaurant that aimed to break the mold
of traditional Indian eateries. With a focus on authenticity, fresh ingredients, and
seasonal produce, Adwait introduced street food from various parts of India, quickly making
Mohalla a standout success in the region.
He conceived the idea of INJA during the lockdown. Inspired by the subtlety of Japanese
flavors and the precision of their techniques, he sought to merge these qualities with the
complex and robust flavors of Indian cuisine. After extensive research and experimentation,
INJA was born, a testament to Adwait's creativity and dedication to his craft. INJA quickly
became talk of the town for being such a unique concept and in its 10th month of the opening
it received its prestigious 3 ultimate stars by culinary culture and a numerous other
awards.
