Chef Himanshu Saini invites us for a behind-the-scenes look at Tresind Studio, Dubai’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
What can you tell us about your journey?
Coming from an agricultural family in India, I grew up around fresh produce, herbs and flowers. Therefore, I naturally gravitate toward locally sourced ingredients, which is expressed in our menu at Trèsind Studio.
I began my training in 2008 with Indian Accent Restaurant in Delhi, where I was fortunate to learn from Chef Manish Mehrotra. He was a great mentor who taught me that it’s not just about the cooking, it’s also about the storytelling. He guided me on my journey.
As a renowned chef, what makes your culinary style unique?
At Tresind Studio, we have a slightly different approach. We aim to push the boundaries of how people perceive Indian cuisine and challenge these perceptions through our tasting menu.
By exploring different aspects of the dining experience, we wanted to make it more engaging and interactive, retaining the soul of Indian cuisine based on three core values of the concept: reviving the art of gueridon service, in which the chef comes to your table with a trolley and makes your dish while explaining it: using Indian ingredients while preparing the dish in an international way; and vice versa.
Your restaurant has been awarded one Michelin star and commended for its original and brilliantly executed multi-course tasting menu. Where do you find inspiration?
I will forever be inspired by my homeland, India. The intricacies of Indian cuisine, its many regional nuances, the diversity of ingredients and hidden gems provide unending culinary inspiration.
My travels and collaborations with chefs from around the world have also open my eyes to new ingredients, techniques and flavors that I can then bring to the menu. From its inception, Tresind Studio’s motto has been “atithi devo bhava,” which means the guest is god. We provide our guests with the best possible dining experience, and this has led to not only achieving a Michelin star but also an Art of Hospitality award and fourth place in the MENA’s 50 Best List.
Recently, we created a new menu called “Tasting India,” which takes guests on a mini voyage through the four regions of India. The menu showcases the rich culinary identity of country, as each has its own unique identity, characteristics, distinct flavors and ingredients that highlight its rural, urban and regional culinary flavors.
