Kalyani, West Bengal – September 2025:Rising from humble beginnings in Debipur village of Nadia district, Chef Kumaresh Mondal has carved out a remarkable path in the global hospitality and culinary industry, overcoming hardships and adversity to emerge as an award-winning international chef, mentor, and judge.
Born in 1978, Mondal’s early life was marked by neglect and hardship. Yet, with sheer perseverance, he completed his schooling in his native village before moving to the city in 1999 in search of opportunities. His professional career began in 2000 when he joined the prestigious five-star hotel Le Meridien as a trainee. Just three years later, his dedication earned him a placement with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Miami, marking the beginning of an illustrious international career.
In 2006, Mondal was transferred to NCL’s American Flagship, where he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first international crew member to be recognized as “Best Employee of the Month.” The following year, he was also featured in the Seatu Entertainer Newspaper, highlighting his growing reputation in the hospitality sector.
After a successful stint in Miami, Mondal returned to India in 2012 and rejoined Hotel Le Meridien as a Supervisor. His leadership qualities soon saw him selected for the elite “Train the Trainer” program by the management. His achievements gained national attention in 2013 when he was published in Femina Magazine.
In 2014, Mondal rejoined NCL as part of the Middle Management team. Four years later, he was chosen for the Culinary Team as an Indian Culinary Recipe Writer, and in 2018, he was honored with the Outstanding Team Member of the Month Award.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 challenged Mondal to explore new business ventures, but his passion for hospitality brought him back to NCL in 2023. By 2024, he had transitioned into academia as a Guest Lecturer at the Global School of Hotel Management, Kalyani, where he began mentoring aspiring hospitality professionals. That same year, his innovative dishes earned wide recognition — his seasonal salad presentation was featured in Duronto Barta Newspaper, his “Carrot Halua Cake” in Sukhabar, and his “Avocado and Cucumber Smoothie” in Shananda Magazine.
His contributions were further acknowledged when the Global School of Hotel Management named him a Culinary Judge, and he was bestowed with the prestigious MasterChef Award of India by the Royal Bengal MasterChef Organisation.
Today, Chef Kumaresh Mondal continues to serve as an international culinary judge and mentor, inspiring the next generation of chefs with his story of resilience, innovation, and excellence. From the modest lanes of Debipur to global recognition, his journey stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and passion.