After exit from Indian Accent, chef Manish Mehrotra is back with a new restaurant, catering venture, and mentorship programme in the pipeline

“At its heart, MMCA is about food as cultural narrative, connecting tradition with the world, and chefs with their craft,” Mehrotra said in a press statement, adding that this new chapter is a return to where it all began: flavour, memory, and the joy of cooking without boundaries.

Why did he leave the Indian Accent?

Just after his departure from Indian Accent, Mehrotra told The Indian Express: “I have been working for 28 years and was in the kitchen for three years before that during culinary school. Overall, it has been 32 years. I wanted to take a break.” He explained that the decision was also shaped by a desire to spend more time with his daughter, Adah, before she leaves for the US to study at the Culinary Institute of America.

“After my wife’s demise, we came even closer. Although she is only 17 and a half, she is very mature and whatever decision I take, I always involve her. She was also a part of this decision and supported it fully,” he said. “I plan to accompany my daughter to the US in September, then celebrate Dussehra, Diwali, and attend every card party this year — things I never could do. After that, I will consider new opportunities. I am not retiring.”

The first step

The first restaurant, set to open in New Delhi in late 2025, is said to be a modern interpretation of Indian kitchens with “grain, fire, and comfort” at its core. In the pipeline is also a catering arm, extending Chef Mehrotra’s philosophy from intimate restaurant tables to larger gatherings and celebrations, scheduled for launch in 2026.

“My first project under MMCA is quiet, purposeful, and Indian food-forward—measured in approach and defined by integrity,” said Mehrotra.

Alongside Mehrotra, MMCA is co-founded by investor Amit Khanna, founder of Amaya Ventures, and Binny Bansal, co-founder of Flipkart. “Backing Chef Manish is about more than opening restaurants, it’s about giving him the freedom to own his craft and set the stage for future chefs,” said Khanna. Bansal added: “MMCA isn’t chasing trends. It’s built with clarity and patience, designed to evolve meaningfully over the years.”