Born and raised in Mumbai, Garima Arora transitioned from journalism to culinary arts, training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and working at renowned establishments around the world. In 2017, she returned to Asia to open Gaa in Bangkok, Gaa is a modern Indian fine dining restaurant situated in a traditional Thai house where she creates a one-of-a-kind dining experience which showcases the modern relevance of Indian cooking techniques with locally sourced ingredients. In 2018, she became the first Indian female chef to earn a Michelin star and then earned a spot in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. In 2023, Gaa earned its second Michelin star, solidifying her status as a culinary luminary. Beyond her culinary achievements, Garima is dedicated to elevating Indian cuisine and fostering diversity in the culinary world. She founded Food Forward India, a non-profit exploring Indian cuisines, and supports ChefCares, which provides culinary education to disadvantaged youth.