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Celebrity chef Kelvin Cheung was a founding chef and a partner at Bastian when it opened in 2016. However, he quit Bastian in mid-2019.
Celebrity chef Kelvin Cheung with actor Shilpa Shetty
Meet the culinary artist who took Mumbai’s food scene by storm, a third-generation chef with a story as rich as his flavours.
Born in Canada and raised in Chicago, Kelvin Cheung is known for blending his Chinese heritage, North American roots, and classic French training into a unique, signature style. Before he became a household name in India, his journey took him through kitchens in the US, Canada, and Belgium. It was in 2012 that he first brought his global expertise to Mumbai, taking on the role of Executive Chef at the revered Ellipsis in Colaba.
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Kelvin Cheung’s Connection to Bastian Bandra
Kelvin Cheung’s name became inextricably linked with Bastian Bandra from its very beginning. He was the founding chef and a partner at the restaurant, which opened in 2016. Bastian was often referred to as his “baby,” and his inventive, seafood-forward menu was a key driver of its initial success and popularity. His bold, generous, and risk-taking approach to food defined Bastian’s identity, attracting a young and fashionable crowd and making it a celebrity-frequented hotspot. He was responsible for creating some of Bastian’s most iconic dishes, including the Crab Toast and the Mud Crab preparations, which became fan favourites.
When And Why Did Kelvin Cheung Leave Bastian?
Kelvin’s association with Bastian officially ended in mid-2019. The reason for his departure, as stated in a press release at the time, was to be with his family in the United States following the sudden passing of his father. The statement from Bastian Hospitality said, “We understand this is an irreplaceable loss and with a heavy heart, we mutually decided to part ways.”
However, reports at the time also raised speculation about a potential falling out between Cheung and his co-partners, including Shilpa Shetty. Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty’s husband, who was a director at the time, denied the rumours, stating that “chefs come and go” and that “the brand is bigger than any individual.” He reiterated that Cheung needed to move back to handle family affairs.
Life After Bastian
After he left Bastian, Kelvin Cheung did not stay out of the Indian food scene for long. He moved to Delhi, where he was involved in developing the restaurant concept for Kiko-Ba and Bar Dadel. He has since expanded his culinary reach globally, with his current focus being on his Dubai-based restaurant, Jun’s. His work continues to be rooted in his concept of “Third Culture Food,” blending his diverse life experiences into his culinary creations.
Years after his departure, in late 2020, a criminal complaint was filed against Kelvin Cheung and his father by his former co-owner, Ranjit Bindra. The complaint accused them of cheating Bindra of a significant sum of money, which had been invested in a restaurant franchise in the US. However, this legal dispute was later settled amicably between the parties, and the criminal complaint was quashed.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
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Author: News18
