By Sitaram Mewati
Indian cuisine has steadily strengthened its presence on the global culinary map over the past two decades, and among the chefs who have contributed significantly to that journey is Chef Manjunath Mural. Renowned for combining the authenticity of Indian flavours with refined contemporary techniques, Chef Mural has earned international recognition while helping elevate the profile of Indian gastronomy in the world of fine dining.
A graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Bengaluru, Chef Mural began his professional career at Centaur Hotel Juhu Beach, Mumbai. There, he had the opportunity to work under Padma Shri awardee Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who was then the Executive Chef of the hotel. The experience laid a strong foundation for his career, exposing him to authentic Indian cuisine, disciplined kitchen management and the values of consistency, precision and teamwork—principles that continue to define his approach to cooking and leadership.
He headed the acclaimed northern Indian specialty restaurant Pakhtoon at Centaur Hotel Juhu. He also held senior culinary positions at Sahara Amby Valley, The Retreat at Madh Island and Marriott Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre. These assignments strengthened his expertise in menu development, kitchen operations and team leadership, preparing him for the demands of international fine dining.
In 2006, Chef Mural relocated to Singapore to join the founding culinary team of The Song of India. His vision and leadership transformed the restaurant into one of Singapore’s most celebrated Indian fine-dining destinations. In 2016, following the launch of the inaugural Michelin Guide Singapore, The Song of India became the first Indian restaurant in Singapore to be awarded a Michelin star. Under Chef Mural’s leadership, the restaurant retained its Michelin star for four consecutive editions of the guide through 2019, establishing itself as one of the country’s premier destinations for Indian cuisine.
Chef Mural’s achievements extend well beyond Michelin recognition. Over the years, he has received several prestigious industry honours and nominations, including recognition at the World Gourmet Awards, KitchenAid Chef of the Year and Asian Cuisine Chef of the Year. He won the Gold Medal at Gourmet Hunt Singapore in 2007 and was runner-up in the Perfect Meal Competition organised by Channel News Asia. His expertise has also been showcased at internationally acclaimed culinary events such as the World Gourmet Summit and Asian Masters, where he has represented the richness and diversity of Indian cuisine before a global audience.
At the heart of Chef Mural’s culinary philosophy is the belief that innovation should always be rooted in tradition. His menus celebrate India’s diverse regional cuisines while presenting classic flavours with modern elegance and technical precision. Rather than reinventing Indian food for the sake of novelty, he focuses on preserving its authenticity, balance and cultural heritage, allowing every dish to tell a story of India’s rich culinary traditions.
Today, Chef Manjunath Mural is recognised not only as an accomplished chef but also as a mentor, consultant and ambassador of Indian gastronomy. Through chef mentoring, menu development, culinary consulting and international collaborations, he continues to inspire young hospitality professionals while promoting Indian cuisine on the global stage. His remarkable journey—from the kitchens of Mumbai to leading Singapore’s first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant—stands as a testament to passion, perseverance, craftsmanship and the growing international appreciation of Indian culinary excellence.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
