Top 10 Richest Chefs in India (2025)

Explore how India’s most successful chefs built powerful brands through restaurants, cookbooks, TV shows, and strategic endorsements. From kitchen innovators to global icons, this list reveals their net worth, business ventures, and the inspiring journeys that turned culinary talent into multi-crore empires.

In India, chefs have risen from kitchen professionals to national icons, shaping how we eat, cook, and even think about food. Names like Sanjeev Kapoor, Vikas Khanna, and Garima Arora have become synonymous with culinary excellence, blending tradition with innovation. These chefs don’t just inspire recipes, they influence lifestyles.

Their success goes far beyond the plate. Through brand endorsements, restaurant chains, product lines, and strategic investments, they’ve built thriving business empires. From TV screens to global stages, they’ve turned their passion for food into powerful platforms.

This list will explore the top 10 richest chefs in India, their net worth, and how they built it.

List of Top 10 Richest Chefs in India

Top 10 Richest Chefs in India (2025)

1. Sanjeev Kapoor

Net worth -  ₹1,165 crore

Sanjeev Kapoor, India's most iconic chef, gained nationwide fame with Khana Khazana. With a net worth of ₹1,165 crore ($140 million), he owns successful restaurant chains like The Yellow Chilli and Khazana, runs Wonderchef cookware, and has authored over 150 cookbooks. A Padma Shri awardee, Kapoor revolutionized Indian cuisine and media. His income crosses ₹25 crore annually, thanks to lucrative brand partnerships, endorsements, and speaking engagements worldwide. Kapoor continues to invest in culinary education, shaping future chefs and inspiring food lovers globally.

2. Vikas Khanna 

Net worth - ₹80–120 crore

Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, with a net worth of ₹80–120 crore ($10–15 million), is renowned for his New York restaurant Junoon and his role as a judge on MasterChef India. Beyond cooking, Khanna is a filmmaker, author, and philanthropist, with over 40 books to his name. His ventures include documentaries like Kitchens of Gratitude and multiple restaurant outlets. He also serves as a goodwill ambassador for various social causes, using his platform to advocate for better nutrition and help underserved communities.

3. Ranveer Brar 

Net worth - ₹41 crore

Chef Ranveer Brar, valued at ₹41 crore ($5 million), is a prominent TV personality and culinary expert. Trained at Taj and Radisson Blu, Brar founded renowned restaurants such as Banq in Boston and several in India. Known for his appearances on MasterChef India and Sanjeev Kapoor Ke Kitchen Khiladi, Brar is also a cookbook author and digital influencer with over 12 million followers. His monthly earnings of ₹28–30 lakh come from platforms like YouTube and brand collaborations. Renowned for his culinary skills and storytelling, Brar continues to shape modern Indian gastronomy.

4. Kunal Kapur 

Net worth - ₹65–80 Crore

Celebrity chef Kunal Kapur, widely known for judging MasterChef India, has built a multi-platform culinary presence. With an estimated net worth of ₹65–80 crore, he earns through TV shows, cookbooks, digital masterclasses, and restaurant ventures. Kapur seamlessly blends traditional Indian cuisine with modern techniques, making his work accessible yet refined. He’s also a global food ambassador, having received the Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship. His approachable style and deep culinary knowledge have made him a household name, as well as a trusted partner for food brands, kitchen appliance companies, and culinary education platforms.

5. Garima Arora 

Net worth - ₹40 Crore

Garima Arora, the first Indian woman to receive a Michelin star, has an estimated net worth of ₹40 crore. She is the founder of Gaa, a Bangkok-based fine-dining restaurant celebrated for its inventive blend of Indian roots and global flavors. She has also served as a judge on MasterChef India, further boosting her mainstream appeal. Known for championing women in kitchens and sustainability in fine dining, Garima collaborates with global gourmet brands, premium events, and food research initiatives. Her influence extends beyond cooking, positioning her as a key voice in India’s evolving culinary landscape.

6. Harpal Singh Sokhi 

Net worth - ₹35 Crore

With an infectious energy and his iconic catchphrase “Namak Shamak,” Harpal Singh Sokhi has become one of India’s most recognizable TV chefs. His estimated net worth stands at ₹35 crore, thanks to multiple revenue streams that include restaurants, branded spice mixes, cookbooks, and popular YouTube content. A professionally trained chef who began at The Oberoi, Sokhi now entertains and educates audiences through live demos, regional cooking shows, and food festivals. His popularity and mass appeal make him a go-to collaborator for FMCG companies, kitchen appliance brands, and culinary tourism boards.

7. Atul Kochhar 

Net worth - ₹32 Crore

 Atul Kochhar is a UK-based Michelin-starred chef known for elevating Indian cuisine in the global fine-dining scene. With an estimated net worth of ₹32 crore ($4 million), Kochhar owns successful restaurants in London and beyond, including Tamarind and Benares. He frequently appears on British food TV shows, authors cookbooks, and offers culinary experiences that blend authenticity with innovation. Kochhar’s work bridges cultures and continents, making him an ideal partner for international hospitality brands, premium kitchenware companies, and cultural events promoting Indian gastronomy on the world stage.

8. Vineet Bhatia

Net worth - ₹15–18 Crore

Chef Vineet Bhatia was the first Indian to earn two Michelin stars and is renowned for redefining Indian cuisine with modern, artistic flair. His estimated net worth ranges between ₹15–18 crore. He runs the acclaimed Rasoi restaurant and serves as a mentor on global food shows like The Final Table. Bhatia’s dishes often surprise with their creativity, elevating humble Indian ingredients to global luxury standards. His collaborations include luxury hotels, premium cookware brands, and gourmet events. His culinary philosophy combines innovation, precision, and storytelling—making him a key figure in global Indian cuisine.

9. Pankaj Bhadouria 

Net worth - ₹2.5 Crore

Pankaj Bhadouria became a household name as the first-ever winner of MasterChef India. With an estimated net worth of ₹2.5 crore ($315K), she has expanded her brand into television shows, cookbooks, a culinary academy, and digital content. Pankaj’s warm, approachable persona makes her especially popular among home cooks and aspiring foodies. She has collaborated with leading food and kitchen brands like Knorr, Samsung Smart Oven, and Kellogg’s. Her work is deeply rooted in food education, making her an influential figure in promoting accessible cooking and skill-based learning.

10. Ajay Chopra 

Net worth - ₹0.4 Crore 

Ajay Chopra is a chef, culinary consultant, and television personality focused on modern Indian cuisine and hospitality strategy. With a modest net worth of ₹0.4 crore ($50K), he earns through brand collaborations, festival appearances, and consulting work via his venture, Zion Hospitality. Chopra is best known for co-hosting MasterChef India and for promoting innovative Indian food presentations. His Instagram content includes cooking tips, food trends, and kitchen gear reviews. As a respected figure in food and beverage consulting, he works closely with lifestyle brands and hospitality ventures looking to modernize their culinary approach.