Pooja Dhingra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chef Pooja Dhingra at the Le15 Central Kitchen
Born	1986 (age 38–39) Mumbai, India
Cooking style	French
Education	Bombay Scottish School, Mahim César Ritz College Le Cordon Bleu
Current restaurant(s) Le15 Patisserie

Pooja Dhingra (born 1986) is a famous Indian pastry chef and businesswoman. She is known for opening India's very first macaron shop. Pooja owns a popular bakery chain called Le15 Patisserie. Her bakeries are famous for delicious macarons and many other French desserts.

Pooja's Journey to Becoming a Chef

Pooja grew up in a family who loved food! Her father and brother, Vaarun Dhingra, both own restaurants. She went to the well-known Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai. Even when she was young, Pooja learned how to bake from her aunt.

She first started studying law in Mumbai. But in 2004, she decided to follow her passion for food. She then went to the César Ritz school in Switzerland. There, she studied about hotels and managing businesses.

Discovering Macarons

After three years, she went to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. This is a very famous cooking school. While in Paris, she tried her first macaron. She found it at a bakery owned by a famous chef named Pierre Hermé. Pooja loved the macaron so much that it inspired her future career.

Opening Le15 Patisserie

After finishing her studies, Pooja returned to Mumbai. In March 2010, she opened her first bakery, Le15 Patisserie. Her goal was to bring the amazing taste of Parisian desserts to India. She wanted to create a special food experience for everyone.

In 2016, Pooja expanded her business. She opened a new place called Le15 Café in South Mumbai. This cafe serves not only her famous desserts but also simple, tasty main dishes. Many of the desserts are named after French women.

Growing Her Business

When Pooja first opened her Mumbai business in 2010, she had only two staff members. Her hard work and delicious desserts helped her business grow quickly. By October 2014, she had 42 people working for her! Pooja dreams of opening her bakeries all across India.

Awards and Recognition

Pooja Dhingra is not just known for her baking skills. She is also seen as a strong businesswoman. She inspires many women to follow their dreams.

She has been featured in many newspapers and magazines. In 2014, Forbes India chose her for their '30 Under 30' list. This list celebrates young people who have achieved great things. She was also on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.

Books and Television

Pooja has written two books about baking. One of her books became a best-seller in India. She also wrote "The Wholesome Kitchen."

Recently, Pooja joined the TV show MasterChef India – Hindi 8. She was a judge alongside famous chefs Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar. The show airs on Sony Entertainment Television.

Images for kids

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  Chef Pooja Dhingra at the Le15 Central Kitchen