Michelin-starred Indian cuisine, an enviable guest list, and an opulent West Village setting marked an exclusive celebration of London’s celebrated Gymkhana brand.
Anjula Acharia knows how to bring the right people to the table. The celebrity investor and entrepreneur opened the doors of her West Village residence for a lavish Diwali dinner that drew an exceptional mix of entertainment royalty, corporate titans, and cultural tastemakers to celebrate the American expansion of London’s two-Michelin-starred Gymkhana.
Actor Kal Penn, political adviser Huma Abedin, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, and Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl were among the notable guests at the intimate, invitation-only soirée, hosted by Acharia and her fiancé, Furhan Ahmad.
The evening brought together an influential cross-section of New York society, with singer-songwriters Jay Sean and Thara Prashad, CNBC anchor Seema Mody, Forbes Editor-at-Large Maneet Ahuja, Island Records Co-CEO Imran Majid, celebrity investor and CAVU co-founder Rohan Oza, Google’s Stephanie Horton, and author Mohsin Zaidi also in attendance.
Within the home’s ornate surroundings, Diwali’s spirit of light, prosperity, and togetherness provided an elegant backdrop for a celebration that was equal parts culinary occasion and cultural gathering.
A Private Taste of London’s Michelin-Starred Gymkhana
The evening’s centerpiece was a bespoke four-course Diwali dinner created by Chet Sharma, global culinary director of Gymkhana Fine Foods, who flew in from London especially for the occasion.
Drawing from the culinary heritage of London’s celebrated Gymkhana restaurant, Sharma presented an indulgent menu showcasing the rich, layered flavors that have made the Mayfair destination one of the most coveted tables in British fine dining.
Among the featured dishes was Gymkhana’s signature Chicken Butter Masala, prepared with its Butter Masala Simmer Sauce, and lasooni wild tiger prawns featuring the brand’s Roasted Garlic & Chili Marinade. The Tandoori BBQ Marinade also made an appearance, demonstrating the versatility of the collection.
The carefully curated dinner carried a subtle revelation: the distinctive flavors enjoyed by Acharia’s distinguished guests were created using products now available on American supermarket shelves.
Gymkhana Fine Foods, the retail extension of the acclaimed two-Michelin-starred restaurant, has entered the U.S. market with a premium collection of simmer sauces and marinades available at Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market.
Inspired by the restaurant’s signature recipes and slow-cooking traditions, the collection brings the complexity and refinement of British Indian fine dining into the home, making elaborate entertaining feel remarkably effortless.
The Art of Building a Luxury Brand
For Acharia, who has invested in Gymkhana Fine Foods, the evening celebrated more than an international retail launch. It marked the arrival of a brand with the potential to redefine how American consumers experience premium Indian cuisine.
Already distinguished by its Michelin-starred provenance, Gymkhana enters the American market at a time when culinary authenticity, exceptional quality, and convenience are increasingly shaping premium consumer preferences.
The brand’s expansion is also a natural fit for Acharia, whose entrepreneurial career has been built around recognizing cultural influence and connecting exceptional talent and businesses with global audiences.
From her work in entertainment to her growing investment portfolio, Acharia has demonstrated a discerning eye for ventures that pair cultural relevance with commercial ambition.
Gymkhana Fine Foods represents that philosophy in its most appetizing form: a celebrated British Indian institution extending its influence beyond the restaurant while preserving the culinary identity that made it famous.
An Evening That Spoke Volumes
With guests representing some of the most influential institutions in business, media, music, and public life, Acharia’s Diwali gathering captured a distinctly modern expression of luxury: cultural heritage celebrated through exceptional hospitality, personal connections, and world-class cuisine.
It was an evening in which the guest list was as thoughtfully assembled as the menu, with the warmth of a private home offering a striking contrast to the caliber of personalities gathered within it.
For Gymkhana, the occasion signaled an ambitious new chapter in America. For Acharia, it was another example of her ability to convene extraordinary people around an emerging cultural and commercial success.
The setting was private, the company exceptional, and the cuisine Michelin-worthy. But the evening’s most intriguing luxury may be that Gymkhana is making its celebrated flavors accessible far beyond the exclusive confines of Acharia’s West Village dining room.
