Introduction
Sid Sahrawat is a renowned chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur hailing from India. He is the owner and executive chef of the award-winning restaurant group, Sidart, Cassia, and Sid at the French Café. His culinary excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including Chef of the Year and Restaurateur of the Year. Sid has dedicated his career to pushing culinary boundaries, and his restaurants are some of the most popular fine dining establishments in New Zealand. This biography provides a detailed account of Sid Sahrawat’s life, career, and achievements.
Early Life
Sid Sahrawat was born on 9 August 1979 in Punjab, India. His family was in the restaurant business, and his father owned a small eatery that served simple Punjabi food. Sid grew up in the restaurant environment and spent most of his childhood in the kitchen. He was fascinated by the aromas, flavors, and techniques of cooking from an early age and showed a keen interest in learning the culinary arts.
Education and Career Beginnings
After completing his secondary education, Sid enrolled in a hotel management course at the Institute of Hotel Management in Chandigarh. He graduated with a degree in culinary arts and worked at various hotels and restaurants across India to gain experience. In 2003, Sid moved to New Zealand to explore new opportunities and expand his culinary knowledge.
Sid’s first job in New Zealand was as a chef de partie at The Ritz Carlton in Auckland. He worked there for a year before moving to The Langham hotel, where he worked as a senior sous chef for three years. During his time at The Langham, Sid developed his skills and expertise in European cuisine and gained valuable experience working in a high-pressure kitchen environment.
Entrepreneurship and the Sidart Journey
In 2009, Sid decided to venture out on his own and open his own restaurant. He founded Sidart in Ponsonby, Auckland, with his wife Chand Sahrawat, who manages the front of house operations. Sidart’s opening was met with critical acclaim, and it quickly became one of the most popular fine dining restaurants in Auckland. Sid’s cuisine is characterized by his creative use of local New Zealand ingredients, fusion of different culinary traditions, and a focus on flavor, texture, and presentation.
Sidart’s menu features an ever-evolving degustation menu that showcases Sid’s culinary vision and creativity. The restaurant’s decor is modern and minimalist, with an open kitchen that allows diners to watch the chefs at work. Sid’s attention to detail, commitment to quality, and passion for culinary innovation have earned him numerous awards and recognition, including the prestigious Cuisine Good Food Awards, where Sidart has been awarded the Supreme Restaurant of the Year four times.
Sidart’s success has also led to the opening of Cassia, a contemporary Indian restaurant in Fort Lane, Auckland. Cassia features a modern take on traditional Indian cuisine, with dishes that reflect Sid’s Indian heritage and his passion for innovative culinary techniques. Cassia’s menu is designed to be shared and features a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, including tandoori lamb chops, butter chicken, and roasted cauliflower.
Sid at the French Café
In 2020, Sid acquired The French Café, one of Auckland’s most iconic restaurants. The French Café was established in 1999 and has been a fixture of the Auckland dining scene ever since. The restaurant has won numerous awards for its French-inspired cuisine and elegant ambiance.
