Yogesh Lodhi
Bellevue,WA
Summary
Passionate & experienced Executive Chef with 14 years of rich culinary experience across different domains. Expertise in modern Indian cuisine as well as traditional flavors, food preparation, staff supervision, and different restaurant processes. Led successful prestigious banquet events for various esteemed leaders. I bring passion and innovation to work and have successfully delivered great food experience end to end in different opportunities. I am looking forward to leading even larger teams and delivering customer satisfaction and business success in future opportunities.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Hotel Management Trainee
Taj Chandigarh
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Gained experience in different hotels of the group.
- Industrial training from The Imperial Hotel New Delhi.
- Training at Firdaus, a fine dining Hyderabadi cuisine restaurant at Taj Krishna Hyderabad.
- Training at Varq, a fine dining modern Indian cuisine restaurant at Taj Mahal hotel New Delhi.
- Training from Oudhiyana, an Awadhi cuisine specialty restaurant at Taj Lucknow.
- Hotel Operation Management trainee with India’s prestigious Taj group.
Jr Sous Chef
Taj Chandigarh
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Worked at prestigious restaurant DERA, a fine dining North West frontier cuisine, pre partitioned Punjabi cuisine restaurant.
- Performed excellently before moving to new opportunities.
- Prestigious restaurant DERA, a fine dining North West frontier cuisine restaurant.
Sous Chef
Farzi Café Oman
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Promoted to Head Chef.
- Learnt and delivered Modern Indian food techniques and presentations.
- Helped open the Restaurant at Oman, leading different activities.
Head Chef
Farzi Café Oman
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Increased sales and customer ratings.
- Navigated challenging times in restaurant industry.
- Managed the restaurant operations, staff, menu and delivery.
Head Chef
Indian Detour Farzi Café Bellevue
Bellevue, WA
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Lead to great results in customer ratings and business results.
- Collaborated with Executive Chef to deliver many new innovative Indian dishes using modern culinary techniques.
- Handled large parties, banquet management.
- Helped establish the first Farzi café in USA.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Indian Detour
Bellevue, WA
01.2024 - Current
- In February 2024 Banaras offers a culinary journey from the lanes of world’s oldest inhabitant city Banaras.
- Featured in yearly visitor guide of visit Bellevue Washington 2025-26.
- Featured in northwesttravel&life magazine 2025.
- Best newly opened Indian restaurant 2024-2025 in USA by US TODAY.
- Increased sales and customer experience.
- Launched legendary award winning and most loved regional Indian cuisine restaurant BANARAS.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Indian Detour
Kirkland, WA
01.2025 - Current
- Offers authentic old Delhi and Punjabi foods.
- Good customer reviews.
- Increased sales and customer satisfaction.
- One of a kind restaurant nearby.
- Launched DILLI-6 restaurant in Kirkland Washington, USA.
Education
Bachelors in Hotel Management - undefined
Pusa
01.2013
Skills
- Food Costing & Measurements
- Communication
- Menu curation & execution
- Customer Service
- Kitchen safety training
- Modern Indian Cuisine
- Traditional Indian Cuisine
- Vendor Management
- Trainings on HACCP, ISO and FOOD ALLERGENS
- Team & Shift Management
- Banquets and Events
- Prestigious Events
- Restaurant Launch
- Basic lifesaving training (Red Cross)
Accomplishments
- Successfully managed state banquets of Indian Presidents, and Prime ministers
- Featured in Visit Bellevue Washington’s visitors guide (2025-26) as one of the culinary master amongst various skilled chef, as a culinary renaissance here (https://maddendigitalbooks.com/wavbig25/).
- BANARAS Bellevue featured as no. 1 best newly opened Indian restaurant in 2024-2025 and no.3 in overall category by USA Today (https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-new-restaurant-2025/banaras-indian-restaurant-bellevue-washinton/)
- Involved in successful launch of brand new Farzi Café (Michelin recognized brand) at Oman and at Bellevue, Washington, US
- Innovated new dishes like Spinach Mawa Kofta, Tajin Grilled Paneer at Farzi cafe Bellevue
- Farzi café Oman won Best restaurant in Oman traveler choice award for two years 2023 and 2024 consecutively by trip advisor under my guidance.
- Bronze medal in AHAAR in 2013.
- Star performer at Farzi café Oman and Farzi cafe Bellevue.
- Received advance level FOSTAC training
- Preopening and successful launch of BANARAS Bellevue Washington USA.
- Preopening and successful launch of DILLI-6 Kirkland, Washington USA.
Activities
- Planned and prepared the menu for ex-president of India Mr. Pranav Mukherjee during his visit to Indian air force station in Ambala, 2016-11-10
- Planned and prepared the menu for President of India Mr. Ramnath Kovind during his visit to Indian air force station in Adampur, Jalandhar, 2017-11-16
- Planned and prepared the menu for President of France Mr. François Hollande and Prime minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi during their visit in Chandigarh, 2016-01-24
- Planned the menu and outdoor catering events for T20 cricket world cup in PCA ground Mohali, 2016-01-01
- Planned and prepared the menu for gathering of chief ministers of different states during Progressive Punjab meetings at Anantapur Sahib Punjab, and Chappanchiri, Punjab., 2016-01-01
Timeline
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Indian Detour
01.2025 - Current
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Indian Detour
01.2024 - Current
Head Chef
Indian Detour Farzi Café Bellevue
01.2023 - 01.2024
Head Chef
Farzi Café Oman
01.2020 - 01.2023
Sous Chef
Farzi Café Oman
01.2019 - 01.2020
Jr Sous Chef
Taj Chandigarh
01.2015 - 01.2019
Hotel Management Trainee
Taj Chandigarh
01.2013 - 01.2015
Bachelors in Hotel Management - undefined
Pusa