On the Kitchen Counter: Ritu Dalmia of DIVA, Cittamani, and more

The Mise en Place: From a childhood fear of Indian cuisine to reimagining it with her signature global flair.

Full Course: How a single idea turned into a restaurant empire – built on impulse, experimentation, and the power of passion.

Cultural Garnish: Blending Italian simplicity with Indian complexity, and finding unexpected overlaps in two rich food traditions.

Inside the Kitchen: Leadership lessons, mentorship mindsets, and creating safe spaces for teams to thrive.

Catering Spread: Why catering isn’t just about feeding people – it’s about telling a story and making every bite memorable.

Finishing Touches: Advocating for LGBTQ rights, learning to balance ambition and self-care, and the future of dining done her way

My chat with Ritu was a little messy, a little salty, and filled with lots of stories. Obviously, I had to go with something classic but punchy, like the Roasted Makhana & Peanut Chikki by Bombay Sweet Shop.

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Host: Smitha Menon

We’re on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever food memories live. Drop in to say hello at smitha@smithamenon.co or contact@maed.in

This is a Maed in India production.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Animation: Alika Gupta

Video Editor: Kaval Chaudhary

Video Guidance: Jishnu Guha

Sound Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

On-Location Sound Engineer: Nihar TemkarProduction Assistant: Natasha Vakil and Rachna Sukuru

Artwork: Jishnu Bandyopadhyay