Baldeep Sraw and Kanwardeep Ahluwalia, two chefs with roots in India and hearts in the kitchen, are redefining Indian fine dining in Canada. From managing renowned 5-star kitchens worldwide to building a thriving food business with four distinct offerings in British Columbia—Sirka Gourmet Takeout, Purani Dilli Kitchen & Bar, Everyday Foods, and their recent crown jewel, Notch Up Caterers—these chefs have brought innovation, culinary expertise, and a passion for food back to the tables of gastronomes in Vancouver.
From India to Canada – A Passion for Great Food
Kanwardeep started his culinary journey at IHM-Aurangabad in India, thereafter, spending six years working across 16 different Taj properties, including the Taj Lands End in Mumbai. He played a key role during the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in India, overseeing the preparation of 40,000 meals a day for athletes from all across the world. He moved to Canada in 2012, working with renowned brands like the Fairmont and The Mariott Hotels before starting his entrepreneurial ventures.
As for Baldeep, he knew he wanted to be a chef at age 10! Choosing culinary arts over aeronautical engineering, he started with the Hyatt Group, managing the iconic Guchhi, a specialty kitchen known for its north Indian food in Kolkata. He immigrated to Canada in 2010 and soon landed an exciting opportunity with Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where he introduced Indian menus to diners and established the hotel as a premium destination for Indian weddings.
The duo met at Fairmont and shared their collective vision of bringing authentic Indian food to Canada, which would not only be true to their soil but also very different from what other Indian restaurants were offering at the time. The pandemic served as a nice time to reflect and reinvent, and they came up with Sirka Gourmet Takeout in Surrey, with innovative and flavorful Indian street food options. Following the impressive success of Sirka and inspired by the lanes of Old Delhi’s culinary traditions, they recently opened doors to Purani Dilli Kitchen and Bar—a boutique dining experience for Indian food lovers with interesting options like Babri Seekh Kababs, 36-Hour Dal Makhani, Motorwala Chicken, and seasonal delicacies like Kharore Ka Soup. Complementing their existing businesses, Everyday Foods is a line of freshly baked Indian bread, ranging from pavs to kulchas, available at leading South Asian grocery stores across Lower mainland
Notch Up Caterers: A Cut Above the Rest
Chefs Baldeep and Kanwardeep’s newest venture, Notch Up Caterers, promises a bespoke experience and global versatility to catered events. Unlike traditional catering services in the Lower Mainland, Notch Up Caterers specializes in personalized global menus for each meal, listening closely to each client’s vision and preferences to craft a menu that suits their event and budget.
With their vast experience and multiple trainings in kitchens across the world, chefs Baldeep and Kanwardeep cook authentic global menus for their Notch Up clients. Whether it’s a six-day Greek-Punjabi wedding, blending Italian, Mexican, and Indian cuisines throughout the week, or a six-course plated dinner for the British Columbia Regiment’s St. Julien’s Dinner (that they have catered consistently for the past two years!), Notch Up delivers high-quality, global flavors with impeccable hospitality and service. Other cuisines they offer are Thai, Japanese, French, Mediterranean and beyond.
A Legacy and Vision for the Future
Both chefs emphasize the importance of passion and perseverance when plating good quality, hearty meals for each foodie who orders a dish. “Cooking is not just a job—it’s a craft that demands patience, love, and passion,” says Chef Kanwardeep. Chef Baldeep adds, “There are no shortcuts to success, irrespective of what you do. Experience builds perfection!” Beyond their businesses, both Baldeep and Kanwardeep are committed to giving back, and they make it a point to regularly partner with the Surrey Food Bank to provide meals and support throughout the year.
As Chefs Baldeep and Kanwardeep continue to redefine eating out and catering for large-scale events, their vision is rooted in traditions and inclusivity. With bold plans of expanding Notch Up Caterers and introducing avant-garde dining concepts in Vancouver, they aim to offer luxury, opulence, and sophistication at each establishment they build. Their journeys from kitchens in India to entrepreneurial success in Canada are a testament to the power of skill, experience, and determination—a drive to bring a piece of South Asia to Canadian tables!
