AMBASSADOR

It is hard to explain in few words how Ritu Dalmia is more than a brilliant chef and restaurant owner. And yet, at just 40, she is one the most successful Indian chefs, owner of three restaurants in India, three in Milan, and of a catering company that serves worldwide destinations.
Born in Kolkata to a Marwari family of entrepreneurs, she joined the family business when she was just 16. When her job led her to Italy, she developed a taste for Italian cuisine, and she studied it at a professional level. In 1993, at the age of 21, she set up Mezza Luna, an Italian restaurant in the Hauz Khas Village, Delhi.
Despite the food being delicious, the restaurant was not successful. Dalmia and her determination moved to London and opened an Indian fine dining restaurant, Vama. The restaurant was a success and received enthusiastic reviews; however, feeling homesick, she returned to Delhi in 2000 and opened DIVA, the first of her restaurant chain.