Maneet Chauhan

Career

Chauhan was born into a Punjabi Rajput Sikh household. She began her culinary career at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education's WelcomGroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal, India, in Hyde Park, New York. As an apprentice chef, she worked in India with the Oberoi Group, Taj Group, Welcome Group and Sheraton Group.

In 2000, she was hired as management for a startup restaurant in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where she headed a team and expanded the restaurant's capacity from 70 seats to 140 seats. In 2003, at the age of 27, she became the opening executive chef of Vermilion in Chicago, Illinois. In 2007, she moved to NYC to open At Vermilion. Her style is described as "global fusion" with roots in Indian cuisine. Chauhan has participated in fundraisers to benefit underprivileged children in India and the typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines.

Books

She wrote her first cookbook, Flavors of My World: A Culinary Tour Through 25 Countries, published by Favorite Recipes Press.

Her second book, authored with Katy Sparks, Alex Raij, Rita Sodi and Kathleen Squires, was called The Journey. Her most recent cookbook Chaat, co-authored with Jody Eddy, was released in October 2020 and includes over eighty Indian recipes with a focus on street food and local cuisine.

Restaurant

Chauhan opened her first restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee. It is called "Chauhan Ale and Masala House". The restaurant, which accommodates 150, opened in August 2014.