Thirty-two-year-old Indian chef Garima Arora's culinary trajectory has been the thing that most chefs dream of. She quit her journalism career, went to Paris to study, opened Gaa&nbsp;in Bankok in April 2017 — and won her first Michelin star in only 15 months.&nbsp;

Garima is the only Indian woman to have won a Michelin star.

She spoke to WION about her extraordinary journey, saying she draws from India's rich culinary heritage for her work.&nbsp;

"I am an Indian, it comes to me naturally that I draw from my rich heritage. We use a lot of techniques and flavour combinations, but what is more important to me is that why and how are we using these ingredients than just simply putting them for the sake of it," Garima told WION.&nbsp;

"I am not sure if I'm different from any other chef but the reason for GAA's success is that we have always stood by what we believe good food should be and never compromised on that," Garima added.&nbsp;

Garima's early experiments with food started in her own kitchen. Till then, Garima Arora was a full-time journalist. Arora grew up in Mumbai and drew inspiration early on from her Punjabi family, particularly her father who loved cooking exotic foods. She says her dad was her inspiration.&nbsp;

"It was my dad. He spent a lot of time cooking in the kitchen all these exotic dishes and I spent a lot of time with him while he cooked. I think that had a lasting impact on me, that's where I learned how to eat well and cook," Garima said.&nbsp;

Before opening GAA, Garima studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and worked with several renowned chefs including the celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Rene Redzepi and Gaggan Anand.

Arora's restaurant offers a wide range of dishes that are inspired by her Indian upbringing and her international perspective. The restaurant offers its guests different course meals using ingredients familiar to Indians, such as jackfruit, guavas, and pumpkins.&nbsp;

What is a Michelin star? &nbsp;

A Michelin Star is every chef's dream, it is one of the most important recognitions in the haute cuisine restaurant community. Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants to signify their excellence.&nbsp;

- It is a star-based review system started by the Michelin tyre company in 1926.&nbsp; 
- A Michelin star is a hallmark of fine dining quality. 
- Restaurants around the world aspire to Michelin star status.

How are Michelin stars earned?&nbsp;

- One star - a very good restaurant in its category 
- Two stars- excellent cooking, worth a detour&nbsp; 
- Three stars - exceptional cuisine worth a special journey

Garima's success mantra is very simple —&nbsp;make good food and make her customers feel like they have eaten something they have never tasted before.&nbsp;

While a Michelin star means she's got busier, Garima still hopes she can take her signature dishes to more people.

 
&nbsp;

Thirty-two-year-old Indian chef Garima Arora's culinary trajectory has been the thing that most chefs dream of. She quit her journalism career, went to Paris to study, opened Gaa in Bankok in April 2017 — and won her first Michelin star in only 15 months.

Thirty-two-year-old Indian chef Garima Arora's culinary trajectory has been the thing that most chefs dream of. She quit her journalism career, went to Paris to study, opened Gaa in Bankok in April 2017 — and won her first Michelin star in only 15 months. Garima is the only Indian woman to have won a Michelin star. She spoke to WION about her extraordinary journey, saying she draws from India's rich culinary heritage for her work. "I am an Indian, it comes to me naturally that I draw from my rich heritage. We use a lot of techniques and flavour combinations, but what is more important to me is that why and how are we using these ingredients than just simply putting them for the sake of it," Garima told WION. "I am not sure if I'm different from any other chef but the reason for GAA's success is that we have always stood by what we believe good food should be and never compromised on that," Garima added. Garima's early experiments with food started in her own kitchen. Till then, Garima Arora was a full-time journalist. Arora grew up in Mumbai and drew inspiration early on from her Punjabi family, particularly her father who loved cooking exotic foods. She says her dad was her inspiration. "It was my dad. He spent a lot of time cooking in the kitchen all these exotic dishes and I spent a lot of time with him while he cooked. I think that had a lasting impact on me, that's where I learned how to eat well and cook," Garima said. Before opening GAA, Garima studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and worked with several renowned chefs including the celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Rene Redzepi and Gaggan Anand. Arora's restaurant offers a wide range of dishes that are inspired by her Indian upbringing and her international perspective. The restaurant offers its guests different course meals using ingredients familiar to Indians, such as jackfruit, guavas, and pumpkins. What is a Michelin star? A Michelin Star is every chef's dream, it is one of the most important recognitions in the haute cuisine restaurant community. Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants to signify their excellence. - It is a star-based review system started by the Michelin tyre company in 1926. - A Michelin star is a hallmark of fine dining quality. - Restaurants around the world aspire to Michelin star status. How are Michelin stars earned? - One star - a very good restaurant in its category - Two stars- excellent cooking, worth a detour - Three stars - exceptional cuisine worth a special journey Garima's success mantra is very simple — make good food and make her customers feel like they have eaten something they have never tasted before. While a Michelin star means she's got busier, Garima still hopes she can take her signature dishes to more people.

Never compromised on good food: India's first woman Michelin star chef tells WION

Chef Garima Arora, owner of Gaa restaurant in Bangkok, became the first Indian woman to be awarded the prestigious Michelin star as it released its closely watched guide to Bangkok, Phuket and Phang-nga for 2019 this week.

Before Garima Arora, the list of Indian chefs whose restaurants have received a Michelin star include&nbsp;Vineet Bhatia, Vikas Khanna, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/gagan-anand-becomes-first-indian-chef-to-win-two-michelin-star-award-26050">Gaggan Anand</a>.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/why-do-women-chefs-keep-missing-out-on-michelin-stars-32036">Why do women chefs keep missing out on Michelin stars?</a>

The former chef de partie&nbsp;at Copenhagen’s Noma, consistently ranked as one of the world’s best restaurants, Arora hails from Mumbai. She opened Gaa&nbsp;last year&nbsp;which is popular for its Indian-Thai menu.

Garima Arora is an alumni of Paris' popular culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu. During her career in culinary and cuisines, she has worked with many renowned international chefs namely&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-michelin-star-chef-gordon-ramsay-takes-a-u-turn-says-will-give-vegan-a-try-131135">Gordan Ramsay</a> and Rene Redzepi.

She has also briefly worked as a journalist in Mumbai before realising that being chef was her real call.

"Go Team Gaa!&nbsp;We couldn’t have done it without your hard work and commitment in the past one and a half year. Congratulations to our chef Garima, the first female Indian chef to ever get a star, you’re a force," the post on Gaa's official Facebook read.

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This was&nbsp;the second edition of the 'Michelin guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang-Nga 2019 Selection'.&nbsp;It recognised 27 dining eateries with&nbsp;23&nbsp;restaurants being awarded one star each, four had the honour of gaining two Michelin stars.

Among the top four restaurants to get two Michelin stars were Gaa, Suhring, Le Normandie and Mezzaluna.&nbsp;

According to the guide, one star signifies "a very good restaurant", two stars are "excellent cooking that is worth a detour", and three stars mean "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".

Chef Garima Arora, owner of Gaa restaurant in Bangkok, became the first Indian woman to be awarded the prestigious Michelin star as it released its closely watched guide to Bangkok, Phuket and Phang-nga for 2019 this week.

Chef Garima Arora, owner of Gaa restaurant in Bangkok, became the first Indian woman to be awarded the prestigious Michelin star as it released its closely watched guide to Bangkok, Phuket and Phang-nga for 2019 this week. Before Garima Arora, the list of Indian chefs whose restaurants have received a Michelin star include Vineet Bhatia, Vikas Khanna, Gaggan Anand. Also read: Why do women chefs keep missing out on Michelin stars? The former chef de partie at Copenhagen’s Noma, consistently ranked as one of the world’s best restaurants, Arora hails from Mumbai. She opened Gaa last year which is popular for its Indian-Thai menu. Garima Arora is an alumni of Paris' popular culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu. During her career in culinary and cuisines, she has worked with many renowned international chefs namely Gordan Ramsay and Rene Redzepi. She has also briefly worked as a journalist in Mumbai before realising that being chef was her real call. "Go Team Gaa! We couldn’t have done it without your hard work and commitment in the past one and a half year. Congratulations to our chef Garima, the first female Indian chef to ever get a star, you’re a force," the post on Gaa's official Facebook read. × This was the second edition of the 'Michelin guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang-Nga 2019 Selection'. It recognised 27 dining eateries with 23 restaurants being awarded one star each, four had the honour of gaining two Michelin stars. Among the top four restaurants to get two Michelin stars were Gaa, Suhring, Le Normandie and Mezzaluna. According to the guide, one star signifies "a very good restaurant", two stars are "excellent cooking that is worth a detour", and three stars mean "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".

Chef Garima Arora becomes first Indian woman to receive Michelin star

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