New Delhi: Among the many lords and ladies present at King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Royal Garden Party will be Bihar-born chef Nand Kishor Yadav. Marking a major milestone and an entry into high society, the chef said the invitation to the Palace of Holyroodhouse was an “incredibly proud and humbling experience.”
“Coming from India and building my life and career in the UK, to be invited to an occasion of this significance is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. It was a very special day. Standing at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and being part of such a prestigious occasion made me reflect on the journey that brought me here. I felt incredibly proud of my roots, my journey and everything that lies ahead,” he said.
But the Motihari-born Yadav didn’t see success overnight. It took two decades of hard work and honing his craft for him to receive the rare invite.
Journey to the Palace
In 1999, a young Yadav started his culinary journey under the Qureshi family, famed for bringing India’s royal food traditions into the mainstream.
However, it wasn’t until Carnival Cruise in the United States that Yadav learned and collaborated with chefs specialising in French, Italian, Mediterranean, and South American dishes. Then in 2007, he studied under celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in London, learning the ways and tastes of Rosette diners.
Yadav then ventured into the business world, opening his own restaurant in London’s Southall. He socialised in an Indian-fusion cuisine, which soon led to acquiring a pub near Heathrow and transforming it into a local favourite known for its exceptional food and warm hospitality.
But Yadav didn’t stop his entrepreneurial ambitions there. He started the catering business, Ninaya Catering, named after his wife and daughters, and even served high-profile clients such as the cast and crew for Strictly Come Dancing, as well as EastEnders at Elstree Studios.
He is currently the executive chef at London’s The White Hart Hotel.