About

In 1981, Chef Raj began his culinary journey at the Hilton hotel in Bahrain, spending 16 years honing his craft as head chef in a Japanese restaurat. After landing in Toronto with his family to explore a new life, he continued his career as a member of the opening team at the French restaurant Sassafraz, in Yorkville. Within a few years he was recruited to Jamie Kennedy’s kitchen at the ROM, and in 2000 he turned inspiration into reality with the opening of his own restaurant, Mr. Maharaja. Following a review by Joanne Kates in the Globe and Mail, the restaurant’s popularity grew, and with limited dining space Chef Raj expanded onto Yonge St. with his new brand Banjara. In 2003, the collapse of the historic Uptown Theatre brought a sad end to Mr. Maharajah, but with the sheer determination and persistence of Chef Raj Banjara survived, and from within its two current locations in Toronto the talented staff at Banjara continue to serve Chef Raj’s passion of authentic Indian food and traditional family recipes