The start of a new year slows us down. We look back at where we began, think about how far we’ve come, and quietly imagine where we’re headed next. On January 1, Chef Gaggan Anand shared one such reflection on Instagram. It was his deeply personal note on life, food, music, and how the world around us has changed. His words moved through three phases: reflection, resurrection, and radiance.
Chef Gaggan Anand On Reinventing Dining In 2026
Gaggan took us back to 2007, when he first arrived in Bangkok. It was a time before smartphones ruled our lives. There were no food reels, no instant reviews, and no viral restaurant checklists. People discovered places through magazines, word of mouth, or simply by being curious. Over the last two decades, he says, things have changed dramatically. Social media is now essential—it supports restaurants, builds businesses, and keeps chefs visible. But in that constant need to post, the romance of being in a restaurant faded completely.
As someone who is both a chef and a musician, this shift hurts Gaggan deeply. He has been cooking for nearly 30 years, grew up in the ’80s and ’90s with cassette players, and watched the digital world slowly take over.
Then comes the turning point. For Gaggan, 2026 is “now or never.” With age comes clarity, and he admits that he now only wants to do things that truly matter to him. After 15 years of Gaggan, it’s time to evolve. Progressive cuisine, in his words, is about constant transformation.
Gaggan will become a 15-seat restaurant, making the experience more intimate than ever. Each meal will take 180 minutes, giving guests the time to slow down, settle in, and truly be present. The biggest change, however, is one that diners will feel instantly. For most of the meal, cameras and phone usage will not be allowed. This effort is not to control guests but to protect the experience. The goal is to live in the moment and create memories that don’t need a screen to exist.
Also Read: Kapil Sharma Brings Kap’s Cafe To Dubai With His Netflix-Show-Inspired Theme
The Return Of Romance At The Table
In the final part of his message, Gaggan speaks with raw honesty. He admits he’s gambling his future. The last six months have been entirely dedicated to building the new Gaggan. He wants food to heal, music to open the senses, and art to stay wild, fearless, and unapologetic. At the centre of it all is what he calls “Cooksical,” a world where cooking and music merge to create something unforgettable.
And just when you think that’s all, Gaggan drops more exciting updates. After nearly 10 years of waiting, he is finally opening in India, in collaboration with Rydo, a move many diners have been hoping for since 2016. His other concepts are also evolving. Ms. Maria & Singh will transform, Esan will relocate to become more accessible, and there will be several new culinary projects.
Chef Gaggan Anand’s New Year post is a reminder that dining can still be emotional, immersive, and deeply human.
Cover Image Courtesy: Gaggan Anand/Instagram