Sanjh, opening in Las Colinas in late 2023, announces its Executive Chef and Lead Mixologist. The elevated restaurant, paying homage to 3,500 years of rich historic Indian cuisines, will bring two globally recognized restaurant and hospitality talents to lead their culinary and mixology team.
Tivona Group (the hospitality group behind Sanjh) CEO and VP of Sales & Operations, Sanjay Joshi and Prob Arora, welcome Balpreet Singh Chadha as Corporate Chef and Yangdup Lama as Director of Mixology.
Balpreet Singh Chadha, Corporate Chef of Tivona Group
Belonging to a family of restaurateurs, Chef Balpreet Singh Chadha started his career in 2003 and over the past twenty years has honed his craft in kitchens across India and all over the world. He credits his experience with cooking in all regions of India as having given him an in-depth understanding of flavors from all the many cuisines of India.
His keen understanding of traditional Indian and global cuisines was further enhanced while cooking at Taj Hotels and various ITC Hotels with some of their best-known restaurants for Indian cuisine including Masala Kraft and Dakshin, a South-Indian cuisine restaurant offering award-winning dishes. He also served as the Banquet Chef serving VIP’s like Manmohan Singh, Narendra Modi, Pranab Mukherjee, Hillary Clinton, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and marquee events like Cricket World Cup 2011.
He has also worked at the world-famous Bukhara and Dum Pukht in New Delhi.
He was later appointed as the Brand Chef for De Thali and Peppermill, restaurants that served Pan-Indian cuisine by LULU group in the United Arab Emirates.
His passion took him to Madrid, where he led the team that opened the popular Benares in 2015. The restaurant was immediately recognized by the Michelin guide for its exceptional cuisine and was recognized by the guide in 2016.
With gratitude for the global perspective his culinary journey awarded him, Chadha’s passion brought him back to his roots in India. Moving back to India, Balpreet served as Director of Culinary Operations at AnnaMaya, Andaz Delhi. AnnaMaya was awarded as #20 spot on Condé Nast Traveller India’s Top Restaurant Awards List in 2018 and #1 in the Raw and Fine category by the same guide.
Chadha’s colorful career has earned him recognition within Asia and beyond. Most recently he was recognized by Conde Nast Traveller India in their 2023 “40 Under 40: India’s most exciting young chefs” list, and was awarded “Best Young Chef” by the India International Hospitality Expo in 2019.
“I am excited for the opportunity to introduce guests at Sanjh to the diversity of Indian flavors and palates and expand the perception of what people think about when they envision Indian cuisine. The menu at Sanjh will be an ode to my home country and a celebration of all Indian cuisines,” says Chef Balpreet Singh Chadha.
Yangdup Lama, Director of Mixology
Yangdup Lama is mixologist, bar-owner, entrepreneur, and author based in India and is known to be one of India’s finest mixologists. With a journey spanning over two decades, he is best known for his relentless efforts in shaping the spirits and cocktail culture in India as a trainer, ambassador, and mentor. Yangdup continues to set a high benchmark for beverage professionals and brands through engaging talks, workshops, and leadership. In 2022, Lama was named mixologist of the year by Travel + Leisure Asia.
Lama has also been featured by Drinks International magazine in the Bar World 100 list of most influential people in the global beverage industry 2020, the first Indian to be featured on this list. Additionally, his bar Sidecar secured a coveted spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars awards in 2022, and ranked as India’s best bar in 2021 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards. Additional accolades for Sidecar include Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 and the Nikka Highest Climber Award 2021. Lama was also awarded the Industry Legend Award at the 30 Best Bars India 2021.
While mixologist is his craft, Lama prefers the title ‘bartender’. “I prefer to be called a bartender because I come from a time when the word mixologist didn’t exist. I call myself a bartender purely because I love being behind the bar. I’m the best when I’m behind the bar,” he says.
Sanjay Joshi, CEO of Tivona Group says, “We promise to deliver a world-class experience at Sanjh and are excited to bring these two globally renowned industry giants’ to Dallas.”
Sanjh will invite guests to explore a new expression of exotic spices, seasonal ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques from across India’s many regions. “We want our guests to discover Indian food as you’ve never tasted it before, complete with decadent desserts and artisan cocktails crafted by world-class bartenders,” says Arora.
“Our goal is for our guests to experience the cuisine that fed emperors and kings alike – and with the help of our hospitality to join them in feeding the everyday royalty,” he adds.
Sanjh will be located at 5250 N O’Connor Blvd, Ste. 146, Irving, TX 75039. The website, hours, social media, and more information will be available soon.
