In a proud moment for India and the global culinary world, Chef Pooja Dhingra, an expert in French-style desserts in India, has become the first Indian chef to receive the La Liste Pastry Game Changer Award. This prestigious international recognition not only celebrates her individual brilliance but also represents a giant leap for India’s dessert and pastry landscape on the global stage. 

What is the La Liste Pastry Game Changer Award?

La Liste, a globally respected guide to the world’s best restaurants and chefs, annually honors those transforming the culinary world with creativity, innovation, and influence. The Pastry Game Changer Award is a rare and highly coveted accolade, reserved for pastry chefs who are not only masters of technique but also visionaries shaping the future of pastry with new perspectives and cultural impact. To be chosen for this award is to be seen as a revolutionary, someone changing how the world sees and tastes desserts. In 2025, that honor was bestowed upon Pooja Dhingra, a name synonymous with modern Indian patisserie. 

From Mumbai to Paris: A Dream Shaped in Chocolate

Born in 1986 in Mumbai, Pooja Dhingra was raised in a family with strong gastronomic roots; her father and brother are both restaurateurs. Her journey into baking began at home, learning from her aunt, long before she dreamed of becoming a professional chef. 

Initially enrolled in a law program, Dhingra found herself pulled toward the kitchen instead of courtrooms. In 2004, she made the bold decision to leave law and pursue a hospitality course at the César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland. But it was in Paris, while studying at the iconic Le Cordon Bleu, that her life truly changed. There, she tasted a macaron for the first time, created by world-famous French pastry chef Pierre Hermé. That one bite not only changed her palate but also her purpose. 

As she once shared, “I’ve loved chocolate my whole life. I think it was my first love.”

Le15: A Slice of Paris in India

Returning to Mumbai with a suitcase full of dreams and Parisian inspiration, Pooja Dhingra opened India’s first macaron store, Le15 Patisserie, in 2010. The name was a heartfelt nod to her time living in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, where her dream began to take form. What started in a small kitchen with just two team members has now grown into a celebrated brand with seven outlets, seven bestselling books, and a national reputation. Le15 became not just a dessert shop but a movement bringing elegant French desserts to Indian palates while keeping warmth, accessibility, and storytelling at its core.

Shaping the Future of Indian Pastry

The recognition from La Liste is the culmination of more than a decade of dedication, innovation, and passion. Pooja has worked relentlessly to popularize macarons and modern French desserts in a country where traditional sweets dominate. Through her work, she has created an entire ecosystem of young Indian pastry chefs and bakers inspired by her story. She became a mentor and role model, most recently appearing as a judge on MasterChef India alongside celebrated chefs Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar, helping discover and nurture new talent in the culinary world. 

Her books, including The Big Book of Treats and The Wholesome Kitchen, are go-to guides for home bakers and aspiring chefs alike. The La Liste Pastry Game Changer Award is not just about technique or recipes; it’s about impact. It honors chefs who shift perspectives, start new conversations, and build bridges between culture and cuisine. By winning it, Pooja Dhingra has placed Indian pastry firmly on the global culinary map. At just 38 years old, Pooja Dhingra has done more than build a brand; she has rewritten the rules of what it means to be a pastry chef in India. With this award, she has not only made history but also created a path for others to follow. In her journey from Mumbai to Paris and back, from a law student to a pastry pioneer, Pooja Dhingra has proven that dreams, when fueled by passion and purpose, know no boundaries.