Chef Naren Thimmaiah has consistently been featured amongst the Top Chefs in the Country and also has won global accolades for the restaurant he has been inextricably linked with – Karavalli. Therefore it comes as no surprise that he has once again been featured among the Top 30 Chefs in India.

Thimmaiah’s association with Karavalli is over three decades. He has declined many senior roles to be with his family and no doubt his Restaurant thrived with this association.
Chef Thimmaiah is renowned for preserving regional authenticity: travelling to homes in different coastal and hinterland communities, learning recipes from homemakers, then bringing them into his restaurant kitchen with respect for tradition.
To know more about Chef Thimmaiah, visit Kaveri Ponnapa’s delectable article – The Making Of An Icon at https://kaveriponnapa.com/food/the-making-of-an-icon/
We have another Kodava chef Kavan Kuttappa who is phenomenally talented and runs a top notch restaurant Naru Noodle Bar, also featured in the same Top 30 list!



Congratulations to Chef Thimmaiah on being named among the Top 30 Chefs in India — a well-deserved honour for a lifetime of passion and purpose.
Congratulations Naren we all are proud of you as a family members blessed by Sai Baba ki Jai May you achieve lots more and means lots to us that you are part of our Vivek nagar Sangha God igguthappa and kaveramma bless you and your family members with lots of happiness and happiness.
I can say Karavalli is Chef Thimmaiah & Chef Thimmaiah is Karavalli!
Knowing Chef Thimmaiah from 1993 from my Taj Gateway days, I have never seen any changes in him till date. He is always Calm, smiling and dedicated to Karavalli.
One of our Taj team mate’s mentioned ‘I’m getting a bit tired of congratulating Chef’
This shows the dedication Chef has for his culinary skills. He never works for accolades, Its shown in guest feedback …
I wish Chef Thimmaiah all the very best!
Also, I wish Kavan Kuttappa all the very best too.
Lets cheer Kodavas – we have not left any field be it sports, academics, Culinary, Defence, Theatre personalities, Authors …..
Chef Thimmaiah’s journey with Karavalli is truly inspiring. Calm, collected and always smiling, he makes you wonder what keeps him going strong for over three decades. As they say, a rolling stone gathers no moss. Chef Thimmaiah is a pillar of continuity and the quality, service and reputation is there for everyone to see.
A true embodiment of hospitality with a depth of well-researched knowledge and genuine care for his team, all of which shine through in the consistent, authentic flavors he brings to the table. Thimmaiah is the embodiment of the quintessential *TAJNESS* that is getting eroded in the pursuit of Profits in the hospitality industry and the Taj Group is no exception.
Congratulations Chef Thimmaiah. You are the real example of professionals who excel with continuity and experience and Karavali has become an iconic restaurant because of this reason. We are proud of you.
Heartfelt congratulations to Chef Naren Thimmaiah and Chef Kavan Kuttappa on this well-deserved recognition. Their dedication to authenticity, innovation, and excellence continues to set benchmarks in the culinary world. proud of you both….
Dear Chef
Congratulations- truly well deserved – we are proud of you .
Two Kodavas in the Top 30 list – fantastic! Proud of both of you. Chef Naren is an “iconic” supporter of Jabhoomi.
A friend, a gentleman Kodava, unflappable (or so it appears!) and a shining star. Proud of you Naren 👏👏
A thorough gentleman and fits the bill of what a true Kodava should be! Congratulations Chef Thimmaiah – we are sure such accolades are now common place for you – but it makes us Kodavas proud and happy.
Indeed a food superstar!! Beyond a superstar!! So happy that Kaveri Ponnapa has featured this iconic gentleman… who’s made Karavalli a super-superstar!!