Private chefs, bespoke menus and curated feasts: Inside the rise of luxury home dining

Festive hosting in India is undergoing a transformation as families opt for the restaurant experience at home. Private chefs, bespoke menus, live cooking stations, and curated restaurant deliveries are replacing conventional catering. Shreya Patharkar, founder of Lafayette Luxury Concierge Services, explains that it's about enjoying restaurant-quality meals within the comfort of one's home.

Patharkar notes that the shift is driven by a desire for more personal and meaningful celebrations, even if it means sacrificing scale or expense.

The appeal lies in the restaurant experience at home. Guests can now enjoy a multi-course meal with a mix of Indian and international dishes, curated restaurant deliveries, and live cooking experiences. Smaller, more intimate gatherings are becoming increasingly popular, allowing hosts to focus on the quality of the meal and overall experience. High-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families particularly value the privacy and control that private dining offers during the festive rush.

Despite this shift, Indian food remains a staple. Regional cuisines, family recipes, and contemporary presentations are being reimagined through premium dining experiences. Yash Batra, founder and CEO of Garniche, observes an increased demand for bespoke multi-course menus, elaborate festive spreads, and live cooking experiences. While Indian cuisine dominates, continental, Mediterranean, Italian, Chinese, and Thai cuisines are also gaining popularity for creating diverse and contemporary dining experiences.

However, guests are becoming more particular about dietary preferences. Patharkar points out that even at lavish festivities, there are guests with vegan, gluten-free, or lighter dietary needs. Raj Mehta, Chairman of Little Italy Group, emphasizes that hosts are seeking distinctive dishes to make the meal feel special. This has led to the inclusion of premium à la carte dishes, shared portions, curated meal combinations, and speciality offerings in family occasions.

The expectation for premium dining has evolved beyond convenience, with guests now valuing quality, generous portions, convenience, and peace of mind.