First Indian woman to earn two Michelin stars brings Ayurvedic-inspired vegetarian dining to the skies on India routes
Qatar Airways has launched an exclusive Business Class dining experience in partnership with renowned chef Garima Arora, marking a significant elevation in inflight culinary offerings for Indian travellers.
The bespoke all-vegetarian menu, which went live on 15 November 2025, features Ayurvedic-inspired dishes on all flights from Doha to India. The airline plans to refresh the menu quarterly with new creations from Chef Garima, with expansion to Doha-United States routes planned for the next phase.
Chef Garima made history as the first Indian woman to earn a Michelin star in 2018 for her Bangkok restaurant, Gaa. The achievement was amplified in 2023 when Gaa received its second Michelin star, making her the first female Indian chef to lead a two-Michelin-star kitchen and positioning Gaa among the select few Indian restaurants globally to hold this distinction.
The collaboration reflects Qatar Airways’ strategy to differentiate its Business Class product through culinary innovation. Chef Garima’s menu showcases her signature approach of reinterpreting traditional Indian flavours using modern cooking techniques and fresh local ingredients.
“At Qatar Airways, we continue to set new benchmarks in luxury travel by curating experiences that are as refined as they are memorable,” said Xia Cai, Senior Vice President of Product Development & Design at Qatar Airways. “Our collaboration with Chef Garima Arora reflects our commitment to innovation and culinary excellence at altitude.”
Cai emphasized that the airline aims to replicate fine-dining experiences in the air, noting that the menu “honours regional authenticity while embracing global sophistication.”
Chef Garima described the partnership as an opportunity to reimagine Indian cuisine for high-altitude dining. “The menu celebrates the richness of our culinary traditions, while presenting them with the elegance and comfort that define premium travel,” she said.
The debut menu features three carefully crafted courses: a Chaat appetiser with berry sorbet, dal dumplings, pomegranate drizzle and sweet yoghurt; My Grandmother’s Millet Khichdi as the main course – a traditional Ayurvedic Sattvik dish designed for easy digestion during travel, served with homemade pickles, condiments and warm shorba; and a Masala Chai Mousse dessert with aromatic tea, Parle-G biscuits, and raspberries stuffed with candied ginger.
The partnership positions Qatar Airways among airlines investing heavily in celebrity chef collaborations to enhance premium cabin offerings and attract high-value passengers on competitive routes.
