Akshay Bhardwaj - Junoon

WHO: Akshay Bhardwaj is the Michelin-starred executive chef at Jazba and culinary director at Junoon. 

ABOUT: Born in Queens and raised in New Jersey, his passion for the restaurant industry began early. While attending Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business in 2012, he started an apprenticeship in the kitchen at Junoon—one of the first Indian restaurants in the U.S. to earn a Michelin star. Quickly rising through the ranks, Bhardwaj became the restaurant's executive chef and was the first Indian chef to be recognized in the Forbes “30 under 30” food and drink list.

At Junoon, Bhardwaj brings heirloom recipes to life through a new lens with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients sourced from his frequent visits to New York's Union Square Greenmarket. In his latest culinary venture, Jazba, he continues to challenge preconceived notions of Indian cuisine, celebrating India's vibrant hawker culture. Drawing inspiration from regional hawker specialties, he and his team have developed a menu that reflects the diversity of India’s culinary scene, honed through numerous visits to local hawkers across India. 

WHAT: Experience the brilliance of Chef Akshay Bhardwaj — whose groundbreaking restaurant, Junoon, earned a Michelin star for an impressive eight consecutive years — as he demonstrates refined haute Indian cuisine, intricate flavor combinations, and exquisite spice blends.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 26, 6 PM - 8 PM EST

WHERE: De Gustibus Cooking School