Baljeet Singh left his small village near Kapurthala in 1987 to help at his dad’s restaurant in Norway. Back then, he had no idea his food would one day win him an award from the Indian government.
Now, nearly 40 years later, Baljeet proudly holds the Annapurna Certificate – a top recognition for Indian chefs abroad. His restaurant, New Delhi, was one of just five Indian restaurants worldwide to win this honor in 2025.
The Annapurna award was launched by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in 2023. Restaurants are judged on strict rules including serving at least 5,000 guests each month.
Baljeet shared how tough things were at first. He started with washing dishes and slowly learned every part of the business. Today, he runs a successful restaurant known for its authenticity and service.
His efforts go beyond food. During the pandemic, Baljeet and his team provided free meals to healthcare staff in Norway. This helped spread Indian hospitality during hard times.
Now, Baljeet plans to return home by opening restaurants in Chandigarh and Goa. And what’s the most loved dish in Norway? “Butter chicken,” he says, with a proud smile.