Interview: Reinvention on a Plate: Chef Beena Noronha’s Journey from Fashion to Food

Some careers are planned. Others, like Chef Beena Noronha’s, are born out of leaps of faith. Once a fashion professional with a sixteen-year career in design, she walked away from stability in 2018 to follow what she calls her “soul’s calling”—food. The decision wasn’t easy, but it was definitive. Trading runways for recipes, she trained in a two Michelin-starred kitchen in France before returning to India to rebuild from scratch. “That leap of faith, choosing heart over certainty, truly shaped me into the chef I am today,” she reflects.

Food, however, had always been in her DNA. Both her grandfathers were chefs, her maternal grandfather ran a restaurant in Udupi, and she grew up in Muscat watching her mother cook with ease and affection. The seed was planted early, but it took years for passion to turn into purpose. “Fashion was my job, but food was my soul,” Beena says. That realisation changed everything.

The Global Palette

Her journey has taken her across continents, each leaving a mark on her culinary identity. Mumbai taught her chaos and diversity of flavor. Muscat gave her warmth, spice, and the communal nature of food. Europe sharpened her discipline, precision, and artistry. “These intersections allow me to blend technique with soul,” she says. “My food is as much about storytelling as it is about flavour.”

Working With Stars

It’s this ability to translate emotion into cuisine that has made her one of the most sought-after chefs in India’s celebrity-driven dining scene. From working with Malaika Arora to now creating alongside Arpita Khan, Beena has mastered the delicate balance of star power and authenticity. “Malaika embodies elegance, health and glamour. Her vision inspired me to create lighter and stylish plates with global flair,” she explains. “Arpita brings warmth, inclusivity and boldness. With her, it’s about comfort, celebration and larger-than-life experiences.”

That spirit is now finding expression in Mercii, a project Beena describes as “very close to both our hearts.” She continues, “With Arpita, the vision is warmth, inclusivity, and celebration, and that is exactly what the restaurant will embody. Guests can expect a menu that feels global yet approachable, with bold flavours, refined presentation, and an energy that matches her vibrant personality. It will be a space where people come together not only to dine but to celebrate life’s moments, whether big or small. My role is to bring that vision alive on the plate by marrying creativity with comfort and making sure every dish tells a story that resonates with the spirit of Mercii.”

For Beena, the secret to these high-profile collaborations lies beyond what’s plated. “It is never just about the food. It is about aura, storytelling, and how people feel the moment they walk in. Translating a celebrity’s personality into the dining space while making the audience feel part of that world—that’s where the magic lies.”

Courage on a Plate

Her boldest culinary statements, she admits, aren’t tied to a single dish but to moments where food disrupts expectations. Whether it’s transforming a humble ingredient into art or sparking conversation around a plate, Beena believes food should provoke emotion as much as it satisfies hunger. “Cuisine should stay in memory long after the meal is over,” she says.

That belief was tested during her Michelin training in France, where she endured 16-hour shifts, endless dishwashing, and repetitive tasks. “Coming from a desk job, the physical grind was shocking. But it was humbling. It taught me resilience and that no chef is above the basics.” What began as a culture shock became the foundation of her discipline.

Comfort in Simplicity

For a chef who crafts elevated dining experiences, Beena’s guilty pleasures are strikingly simple. A comforting prawn curry rice or traditional Kori Roti tops the list. “My mom still makes sure that if she is with me on my birthday, she cooks it specially for me. Those are the meals that feel like love on a plate.”

From the runways of fashion to the kitchens of Michelin, from the chaos of Mumbai to the glamour of celebrity-owned restaurants, Chef Beena Noronha has carved her space as one of India’s most compelling culinary voices. Reinvention may have defined her journey, but it’s her courage and creativity that make her unforgettable.

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