Vicky Ratnani

Culinary Director
"My first involvement with YCO was in 2016, in Mumbai, where I came on as guest judge. I was quite astonished as to how Dr. Bose had taken such a big initiative, to actually take so much interest in students, not only from this country but from culinary federations and institutes around the world. In 2018, YCO became larger than life!"

ON YCO
It’s really good because it boosts morale and builds confidence. And to get that confidence before you move on to your career path really polishes you and makes you a chip off the block. It’s encouraging, motivating and one gets to see other cultures... I think it’s a wonderful experience.

TAKES THREE TO TANGO
While judging, I looked out for creativity, taste and flavour.

THEN VS NOW
Technology has made a lot of things possible. Information is available through diverse mediums. For example, we did not have Internet in our growing-up years. We read books, maga-zines and visited libraries. When we travelled, we’d grasp any-thing we could find that might help us as chefs.

Known as : Gourmand, connoisseur, celebrity chef.

Fresh catch : Tied up with Sri Lanka’s seafood restaurant Ministry of Crab to open an outlet in Mumbai.

Currently : Culinary director of Gourmet Investments, which has restaurants like The Runway Project, The Market Project and The Bandra Project on its plate.

Online brand : Owns a “clean food kitchen” called Hello Green, which delivers healthy meals.

TV show and book : ‘Vicky Goes Veg’ amongst others.