A CHEF who has worked in five-star hotels in the Maldives and London is taking over a popular Andover Indian restaurant.

Chef Satish Kesavarapu has bought Andover High Street restaurant Mumbai Brasserie, and has rebranded it as Spice Route.

The new restaurant will opening tomorrow (February 13) for takeaways, and will have a grand inauguration once the national lockdown is lifted.

It currently has five staff, but is set to expand after the grand opening.

Mr Kesavarapu told the Advertiser that the new restaurant focuses on Indian cuisine with subtle and complex flavours, yet light on the stomach.

“We have dishes from Tandoori kebabs and wholesome curries to regional favourites such as Laal Maas and Rogan Josh, fragrant biryanis and signature dishes like Aloo tiki and Old Delhi Butter chicken."

It has been a lifelong dream for Mr Kesavarapu, a chef for 15 years, to open his own restaurant.

An Andover resident, he has been working at various five-star hotels including the Hilton Basingstoke.

Born in India, he has always been fascinated by different cuisines, which made him take up a career in culinary skills. After completing his course, he got his first job as a chef for a five-star hotel in Maldives.

“There were seven different speciality cuisines there, and I learned most of my trade from there.”

It was while working at a five-star hotel in Mumbai when Hilton brought him to the UK to join their chain. He decided to settle in Andover while working for Hilton Basingstoke.

“Andover is a small town surrounded by a lovely countryside and well connected.”

Looking forward, Mr Kesavarapu believes his restaurant can win the hearts of all Andoverians.

“Indian restaurants used to be just curry houses. Suddenly they have become restaurants. The whole image of Indian restaurants is changing, and Indian food has become mainstream and vibrant.

“I want to bring the proper flavours to the people of Andover.”

Meanwhile, the previous owner of Mumbai Brasserie will continue to operate from its sister kitchen Andover Tandoori in Kingsway Gardens. The restaurant said the two kitchens have now merged and will continue to provide takeaways from Andover Tandoori during lockdown. It will open normally once the national lockdown is lifted.