Rakesh Kumar Prasad

Rakesh Kumar Prasad
Born	21 October 1973, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Executive chef
Years active	1995–present
Employer	FineIndian Dining LLC
Education	Diploma in Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition – International Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata
Known for	Culinary leadership, Food innovation, Hospitality operations
Residence	New Jersey, United States

Rakesh Kumar Prasad (born 21 October 1973) is an Indian executive chef and hospitality professional. He is known for his contributions to fine dining, large-scale catering, and international culinary operations, with over 25 years of experience across India and the United States.

Early life and education

Prasad was born in India and raised in Rourkela, Odisha. He completed his schooling at Deepika EM School and pursued higher secondary education in science from Ispat College, Rourkela.

He later earned a diploma in Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition from the International Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata.

As part of his early training, he completed industrial training at The Leela Beach, Goa, gaining exposure to professional kitchen operations and hospitality standards.

Career

Early career

Prasad began his culinary journey in 1995 in entry-level roles. He worked as a Commis III at The Park, New Delhi, where he specialized in continental cuisine.

He later gained experience at Taj Palace, New Delhi and worked with well-known establishments such as Olive Bar & Kitchen and Lodi – The Garden Restaurant, building a strong foundation in kitchen operations and food preparation.

Professional growth

He advanced to senior roles including Senior Chef de Partie at Club Sapphire, Gurgaon, and Senior Sous Chef with Kwality Group (KIC Food Pvt Ltd), Delhi.

During this period, he was involved in large-scale catering projects, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi.

Leadership roles in India

Prasad held key leadership roles in several organizations:

• At Old World Hospitality Pvt Ltd, he served as Chef de Cuisine, managing restaurants, banquets, and catering operations while ensuring compliance with HACCP, ISO standards, and FSSAI.

• At the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, he focused on menu innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable kitchen practices.

• At Foodlink F&B Holding India Pvt Ltd, he worked as Executive Chef, overseeing kitchen operations, staff training, and inventory systems.

International career

In 2023, Prasad moved to the United States and currently serves as Executive Chef at FineIndian Dining LLC in Somerset, New Jersey.

His role includes menu development, culinary innovation, kitchen management, and adherence to international food safety standards.

Certifications

Prasad holds several professional certifications:

• Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA) – American Culinary Federation
• Food Protection Manager Certification – ServSafe (National Restaurant Association)
• ServSafe Food Handler Certification
• HACCP Certification – International HACCP Alliance

• 

  First Aid Certification – Indian Red Cross Society (2019)

Awards and recognitions

His recognitions include:

• Swami Vivekanand National Spirit Award 2026 – Certificate of Excellence
• Participation in initiatives by MyGov India and Archaeological Survey of India

• 

  Completion of “Leadership for 360° Excellence” program at Manav Rachna University (2025)

Professional affiliations

• Executive Member, World Association of Master Chefs (WAMC)

Media presence

Prasad has been featured on platforms such as:

• Zee Business
• Aaj Tak

• 

  

  Other television and digital media outlets

Culinary expertise

His expertise includes:

• Menu planning and development
• Food safety and hygiene compliance
• Inventory management
• Banquet and large-scale catering

• 

  Team leadership and training

Personal life

Rakesh Kumar Prasad is married to Meenakshi and has two children. He currently resides in New Jersey, United States.

See also

• Chef
• Indian cuisine
• Hospitality management
• Catering