Zorawar Kalra (born 26 May 1977) is an Indian restaurateur. He is the son of Jiggs Kalra, the ‘Czar of Indian Cuisine’.[2] He is the founder and managing director of Massive Restaurants Pvt Ltd,[3] which owns brands such as Masala Library, Pa Pa Ya, Farzi Café, Made in Punjab[4] and unique Asian eatery called Hotel ShangHigh.[5] He hosted season five of MasterChef India, replacing Sanjeev Kapoor.[6]

Zorawar Kalra
Born (1977-05-26) 26 May 1977 (age 46)
New Delhi, India
EducationBentley Business University, Boston
OccupationIndian Restaurateur
Known forMasala Library
Made In Punjab
Farzi Cafe
Pa Pa Ya
Masala Bar
KODE
BBQ'D
Rivers TO Oceans(R2O)
BO-TAI
YOUNION
TYGR
Mithai By Jiggs Kalra
Hotel ShangHigh
BO-TAI Switch
+94 Bombay
Swan
Butter Delivery
Louis Burgers
Legacy (Luxury Catering)

Upcoming Ventures:
Slyce (Pizza Delivery)
Biryani by Jiggs Kalra
SpouseDildeep Kalra[1]
ParentJiggs Kalra

Career edit

With a family backdrop immersed in restaurants, food was always at the centre of family life while Zorawar Kalra was growing up in New Delhi. Taking the lead from his father, his first entrepreneurial venture, ZK Restaurant Concepts, was launched in 2006, followed by a number of successful casual and fine dining restaurants. Six years later, born out of a belief that every effort should be made to elevate the position of Indian cuisine across the globe, he founded Massive Restaurants.[7] Kalra now has 26 restaurants across nine brands in eight countries.[8]

Television edit

In 2016, Kalra hosted the fifth season of MasterChef India, a series based on the original British version, MasterChef, alongside Vikas Khanna and Kunal Kapur.[9][10]

Brands owned by Kalra are Masala Library, Made In Punjab, Farzi Cafe, Pa Pa Ya, Masala Bar, KODE, BBQ'D, Rivers TO Oceans, BO-TAI, YOUNION, TYGR, Mithai By Jiggs Kalra, Hotel ShangHigh, BO-TAI Switch, +94 Bombay, Swan, Butter Delivery and Louis Burgers.

In July 2022, Kalra announced his decision to participate in dance-based reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10.[11]

Filmography edit

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 MasterChef India 5 Host [12]
2022–present Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 Contestant 13th place [13][14]

Awards edit

Counted amongst one of the youngest, most successful restaurateurs of India, Zorawar Kalra reinvents Indian cuisine with his strong business acumen and a rich heritage spanning over four decades. Considered as the ‘Man with a Vision on a Mission’ & ‘The Prince of Indian Cuisine’, he has been recognized amongst the 50 Most Influential Young Indians by GQ India (thrice); GQ Men of the Year – Restaurateur of 2017; Economic Times 40 Under 40; Forbes Tycoons of Tomorrow; Restaurateur of the Year Award, 2014 & 2017, Times of India & Vir Sanghvi Awards; a Finalist in E&Y Entrepreneur of the year 2017; HT Crystals, 2014 and Entrepreneur of the Year in Service Business - F & B Services, Entrepreneur India Awards, 2014. December 2012 was a milestone for him, as it saw the launch of Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., which in its first year of operations won over 19 prestigious awards in various categories. Zorawar Kalra has also been a judge on Masterchef India Season 5.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ "'Relationships evolve with time': Meet Delhi's first family of food". www.newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Jiggs Kalra, czar of Indian cuisine, dies at 72". www.hindustantimes.com. 4 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Traditional Indian cuisine is getting lost: Zorawar Kalra". www.outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  4. ^ Khosla, Varuni. "Massive to add 12 new restaurants". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  5. ^ "This new restaurant in Mumbai serves you a great Chinese meal with a show". www.vogue.in. 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Zorawar Kalra, the man who's replacing Sanjeev Kapoor on MasterChef India". www.hindustantimes.com. 30 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Extraordinary Journeys: Zorawar Kalra On Why His New Restaurant Will Shake Up The London Scene". www.forbes.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Zorawar Kalra: World on a platter". www.forbesindia.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  9. ^ "EXCLUSIVE MasterChef India 5: Chef Vikas Khanna and Chef Kunal Kapur reveal what's in store in the new season". The Indian Express. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  10. ^ Shreya Goswami (13 September 2016). "First look of the judges of MasterChef India 5: Vikas Khanna, Kunal Kapur, Zorawar Kalra". India Today. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10: Chef Zorawar Kalra to participate in the show with Nia Sharma and Niti Taylor - Times of India". The Times of India. 25 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Cooking is a serious pursuit on 'MasterChef India' Season 5 - Times of India". The Times of India. October 2016.
  13. ^ "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10: Chef Zorawar Kalra to participate in the show with Nia Sharma and Niti Taylor - Times of India". The Times of India. 25 July 2022.
  14. ^ Service, Tribune News. "Zorawar Kalra exits Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa". Tribuneindia News Service.
  15. ^ "Zorawar Kalra expresses delight on winning 'GQ Men Of The Year 2017'". www.aninews.in. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.