Chef Raj Thandhi - Recipe Developer & Food Stylist
Ancy Mendonza Darpan, 15 Apr, 2025 09:33 PM
Born in Victoria, B.C., and raised in Surrey, Raj Thandhi never expected food to be her calling. A trained graphic designer, her love for cooking truly ignited after her children were born. What started as an effort to decode heritage recipes soon became a mission—to preserve and translate traditional Punjabi flavors for a new generation.
From perfecting age-old techniques to adapting them for a North American kitchen, she built a thriving online community of over 100,000 people who connect through cultural cuisine. To her, keeping Punjabi flavors on the table matters most—whether it’s through a classic dish, a creative fusion, or a quick weeknight meal.
Now a professional recipe developer and food stylist, Raj collaborates with multinational brands to spotlight Punjabi flavors, ensuring they get the recognition they deserve. Her expertise has landed her on the pages of the Vancouver Sun, Globe & Mail, The Washington Post, and even on CBC.
But she isn’t stopping there. With a hunger for knowledge, she’s now attending culinary school to earn her professional chef designation—turning a lifelong passion into a full-time career.
Through her work, Raj Thandhi proves that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a bridge between generations, a celebration of culture, and a way to keep tradition alive in a fast-changing world.
Notably, he achieved recognition as the Winner of Season 1 Episode 4 of the show "Chefs Vs Wild" on Hulu and Disney+. With a deep-rooted love for regional Indian cuisine, Tushar has effectively broadened the scope of his culinary offerings throughout British Columbia, making the authentic flavours of India accessible to a diverse range of diners.
Chef Dhillon describes his food as "unpretentiously soulful" and enjoys working with fresh, classic and rustic Fraser Valley ingredients. Proud of his Indian cooking heritage, he understands that Indian spices can do the trick and add to the flavour of so many dishes apart from the good old curry!
In 2014, he moved to Canada, where he worked with the Fairmont Hotel and completed his Red Seal Chef certification requirements. He opened his first catering company, GJs’ Kitchen, in Surrey, BC and quickly learned that the Canadian food scene is quite different from that in other countries.
The talented chef has amazing work experience in leading fine dining, smart casual, brasserie, café, and dark kitchens outlets. Chef Bobby Geetha has worked with some of Europe’s best Michelin-starred chefs. He is one of the best consultant chefs in the UK and Middle East.
Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Rohit Ghai is hailed as one of the UK’s most creative and accomplished Indian chefs. Chef Ghai began his international career working with Michelin-starred restaurant Benares in London in 2008.
Harpal Singh Sokhi is a celebrity chef from India. Also known as the “Energy Chef of India”, he is now a “Dancing Chef Of India”. Chef Sokhi anchored Grand Trunk Rasoi Season 1, he also started his fine-dine restaurant Karigiri in Noida, New Delhi, and one of the largest clubs in the country, club D’Neo at Jalandhar, Punjab.
