Strengthening its culinary leadership, Chrome Asia Hospitality has appointed Chef Chirag Makwana as Corporate Executive Chef. In his new role, he will oversee the culinary direction across key brands, including Late Checkout and Lyla BKC, while also spearheading new dining concepts set to launch in 2026.

Chef Chirag brings with him a globally influenced culinary perspective, rooted in bold simplicity and experiential dining. His appointment marks a significant step in evolving the group’s food narrative, aligning with its vision of creating experience-led hospitality formats.

At Late Checkout, a high-energy, cocktail-driven destination known for its inventive bar program and global influences, Chef Chirag introduces a refined Japanese-European culinary direction. His approach blends precision with bold flavours, crafting dishes that complement the bar experience while standing out as a key attraction on their own.

At Lyla BKC, his focus shifts towards a more relaxed, all-day dining format. Here, the menu is designed to offer comfort and refinement, creating dishes that encourage repeat visits while staying true to the brand’s identity. Across both venues, his philosophy centres on building menus that resonate with contemporary diners while maintaining distinct culinary voices.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Chef Chirag began his culinary journey in his mother’s kitchen before moving to Canada at the age of 18 for formal training. He graduated with honours in Culinary Management from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute and went on to work alongside renowned chefs such as Massimo Capra, Michael Bonacini, and Tony De Luca. He also holds the prestigious Red Seal Chef Certification.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Chef Chirag said that his approach to food focuses on clarity of flavour and intent, taking simple elements and elevating them to create something exciting. He highlighted that while Late Checkout explores a bold Japanese-European direction designed to complement the bar experience, Lyla BKC focuses on comfort-driven dishes that guests return to.

Commenting on the appointment, Co-Founder Pawan Shahri emphasised that a strong culinary voice is essential for building memorable dining experiences. He noted that Chef Chirag’s combination of technical expertise and creative instinct makes him well-suited to lead the next phase of growth for the group.

With this strategic appointment, Chrome Asia Hospitality continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering distinctive dining experiences where food, beverage, and ambience come together seamlessly under a unified creative vision.

About Chrome Asia Hospitality:

Founded in 2019 by Pawan Shahri and Nikita Shahri, Chrome Asia Hospitality is a full-scale hospitality company focused on building experience-driven restaurant concepts across India. The group’s portfolio includes popular dining destinations such as Late Checkout, Gigi Bombay, Lyla Bombay, EVE, Shy, and Donna Deli, reflecting a global-first approach to food, design, and culture.