Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Home Chefs Redefining Bengali Cuisine Globally
There are some home chefs who are making Bengali food popular in different parts of the world.
They are not just cooking traditional Bengali dishes but also presenting them in new and exciting ways.
Toonika Guha in Gurgaon, Samita Gopal Halder with her experience across India, and Sohini Banerjee in London are some of these chefs.
They host supper clubs where people can enjoy Bengali food and also learn about the culture.
These supper clubs are not just about food but also about creating a sense of community and connection.
They use seasonal and local ingredients to make the food more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
Sohini Banerjee is even bringing her supper club to Kolkata this spring, using no-waste menus and market-sourced produce.
Home chefs like Toonika Guha, Samita Gopal Halder, and Sohini Banerjee are redefining Bengali cuisine through supper clubs in Gurgaon, India, and London.
They focus on presenting Bengali food in contemporary, seasonal, and accessible ways, moving beyond traditional stereotypes.
Toonika Guha's supper club in Gurgaon features dishes like peyaj posto on rice crackers and reimagined dhokar dalna, attracting both Bengalis and non-Bengalis.
Samita Gopal Halder emphasizes everyday Bengali household food, using indigenous rice varieties and seasonal produce, with 60% of her clients being non-Bengalis.
Sohini Banerjee's Smoke and Lime supper club in London blends Bengali techniques with global influences, and she is planning a pop-up in Kolkata this spring with no-waste menus.
- Who
- Toonika Guha, Samita Gopal Halder, and Sohini Banerjee are home chefs redefining Bengali cuisine.
- What
- They are hosting supper clubs that present Bengali food in contemporary and accessible ways.
- When
- The supper clubs are ongoing, with Sohini Banerjee planning a pop-up in Kolkata this spring.
- Where
- The supper clubs are held in Gurgaon, London, and Kolkata.
- Why
- To promote Bengali culture, make Bengali cuisine accessible, and create a sense of community around food.
- Toonika Guha
- Marketing professional and home chef in Gurgaon, runs a supper club featuring contemporary Bengali cuisine.
- Samita Gopal Halder
- Experienced home chef with roots in undivided Bengal, focuses on everyday Bengali household food.
- Sohini Banerjee
- Founder of Smoke and Lime, a supper club in London blending Bengali techniques with global influences.
- Bengali Cuisine
- Traditional Bengali food, often seasonal and rooted in memory, presented in modern and accessible ways.
- Supper Clubs
- Intimate dining experiences hosted by home chefs, focusing on community and cultural exchange.