Preserving The Soul, Rewriting The Form: Chef Manish Kumar’s Modern Indian Narrative

In a dining landscape where “modern Indian” is often mistaken for novelty-driven fusion, Chef Manish Kumar stands out for his restraint. As Executive Brand Chef at Indy by Qla, he leads the brand’s culinary vision with a clear philosophy: reinterpret regional Indian cuisine without disturbing its emotional core.

With close to a decade of experience across Indian kitchens and international stints in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, Chef Manish brings a quiet confidence to his food, one that favours flavour memory over visual theatrics. “The soul of a dish lies in the taste, aroma, and emotion it carries,” he explains. That flavour backbone, according to him, is non-negotiable. Modernity, when it appears, comes through technique, texture, or presentation

not by altering what the dish fundamentally stands for.

This belief shapes how Chef Manish navigates the delicate balance between tradition and reinterpretation. Rather than modernising a dish for the sake of appearance, he asks a deeper question: what does this dish mean to the person eating it? The answer often lies in memory. Whether it’s the street-side indulgence that inspired Indy’s cult-favourite Jalebi Sandwich or the slow-cooked comfort embedded in Nadru Galouti, nostalgia becomes the starting point, not the destination.

Chef Manish’s exposure to international palates has further refined this approach. Working in the Middle East taught him the value of clarity. “International diners respond strongly to honest flavours when they are well-defined and balanced,” he notes. That insight has helped him simplify without diluting, allowing Indian ingredients and regional techniques to speak clearly, without excessive explanation. At Indy by Qla, regional stories unfold through taste rather than text.

Signature dishes such as Kacche Aam ki Kachori, Nadru Galouti, and the Jalebi Sandwich exemplify this philosophy. They feel deeply familiar yet unmistakably contemporary, comforting, but composed. The fact that the Jalebi Sandwich and Nadru Galouti have become guest favourites and culinary identifiers of the brand is no accident; they encapsulate Chef Manish’s ability to translate memory into modern dining language.

Beyond the plate, his role as Executive Brand Chef extends into mentorship and menu strategy. For Chef Manish, creativity thrives with direction. He encourages his team to explore ideas and regional influences, but always within the framework of Indy’s identity. “Consistency comes from shared understanding,” he says. Once the team aligns with the brand philosophy, creativity becomes purposeful rather than performative.

Looking ahead, Chef Manish believes the future of modern Indian dining lies not in reinvention, but in respect. He advocates for moving beyond surface-level fusion towards micro-regional narratives, forgotten ingredients, and honest techniques. “Regional Indian cuisine doesn’t need novelty, it needs better storytelling,” he asserts. When presented with clarity and confidence, he believes, regional food naturally feels modern.

In an era of fast-evolving food trends, Chef Manish Kumar’s work at Indy by Qla serves as a reminder that progress in Indian cuisine doesn’t always mean adding more, it often means understanding more.