Rajesh Bhardwaj is an experienced entrepreneur and restaurant operator. He is Owner and Founder of Junoon, an award-winning fine dining restaurant in New York redefining Indian gastronomy and elevating it to unprecedented heights. Earning both a Michelin star and a Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence for eight consecutive years since opening in 2010.
Aarthi Sampath is a New York-based renowned chef, restaurant consultant, food truck expert and TV personality. During her undergraduate program, she got the opportunity to intern at the fabled Michelin-star Junoon in New York City. Aarthi quickly rose through the ranks to become Chef De Cuisine. Later, Aarthi was crowned Executive Chef at American Gymkhana, an upscale Indian restaurant in Orlando, Florida by the founders of Junoon. A solid understanding of Indian cooking backed by practical experience, Sampath’s control over her vision and passion for Indian food brought her into a number of unique spaces. At Junoon, Aarthi was honored to work on The “Billionaire’s Club Dinner” hosted by Prime Minister Modi at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.
Born in Queens, Akshay Bhardwaj studied business at Fordham University and Baruch College, and then pivoted to his passion: cooking. His ascension in the culinary world was extraordinary; between 2012 and 2017, he worked his way from working the line to executive chef at Junoon. Junoon was awarded one Michelin Star eight consecutive years from 2011, and held the title of the only Indian restaurant in New York City with a Michelin Star from 2018-2019. He was also selected as a Gohan Society Culinary Scholar — and traveled to Japan to study the delicate art of omakase — and became the first Indian chef to be selected for the Forbes “30 under 30: Food & Drink” list. Bhardwaj showcases a menu that reflects the diversity of India, steeped in the classics while offering deft touches of modernity.