Chef Thomas Zacharias, known as ChefTZac, is one of India’s most influential culinary voices, known for championing regional Indian ingredients, forgotten food traditions, and sustainable food systems. Trained at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), he began his career in New York at the Michelin three-starred Le Bernardin under Chef Eric Ripert.

In 2014, he set out on a solo food journey across 18 Indian states, documenting local culinary traditions, indigenous ingredients, and home-cooked meals. This experience shaped his food philosophy and led to his role as Chef Partner at Hunger Inc. where he helped build award-winning restaurants like The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro, and Bombay Sweet Shop. Under his leadership, The Bombay Canteen was named India’s No.1 restaurant by Condé Nast Traveller, and he was recognised as Chef of the Year. In 2022, he launched The Locavore—a platform dedicated to transforming India’s food systems through storytelling, community, and impact-led projects.

Through initiatives like the Wild Food Project, the Millet Revival Project, and the Local Food Club—a growing grassroots movement of food communities across India—he continues to spotlight indigenous knowledge, food diversity, and ecological resilience.

@cheftzac @thelocavore.in