Mumbai, Apr 07: Chrome Asia Hospitality, Mumbai’s leading hospitality group announces the appointment of Chef Chirag Makwana as Corporate Executive Chef, who will oversee the culinary direction at its popular restaurants, Late Checkout and Lyla BKC along with being in charge of introducing newer formats in 2026. With a globally influenced culinary perspective and a philosophy rooted in bold simplicity, Chef Chirag’s appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the group’s evolving food narrative.
At the forefront of this appointment is Late Checkout, Chrome Asia Hospitality’s high-energy, cocktail-led destination that has built a cult following for its inventive bar program and global bar culture exchange. Under Chef Chirag’s leadership, the culinary direction evolves into a refined Japanese-European expression, bringing together precision, technique, and bold flavour pairings. His food is designed as an integral part of the overall experience, crafted to interact seamlessly with the bar program while holding its own as a compelling reason to visit.
Extending this vision to Lyla BKC, Chef Chirag is curating a menu that aligns with the restaurant’s more relaxed, all-day dining format. Across both venues, his focus remains on creating menus that resonate with today’s diners, while highlighting the core elements of each brand.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Chef Chirag began his culinary journey in his mother’s kitchen before moving to Canada at 18 to pursue formal training. A graduate with honours in Culinary Management from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, he went on to work with renowned chefs such as Massimo Capra, Michael Bonacini, and Tony De Luca, earning the prestigious Red Seal Chef Certification.
Chef Chirag’s approach to food is deeply experiential. His menus are built to sit comfortably within that setting, whether it’s alongside a strong bar program or in a more relaxed, all-day format. Speaking on his appointment, Chef Chirag Makwana said, “For me, food is about clarity of flavour and intent—taking something simple and pushing it just enough to make it exciting. At Late Checkout, that translates into a Japanese-European direction that plays with precision and boldness, designed to sit naturally alongside the bar experience. With Lyla BKC, the idea is more about comfort and refinement, creating dishes people return to. What excites me about working with Chrome Asia Hospitality is their focus on building concepts that are experience-first, and that aligns perfectly with how I like to think about food.”
Pawan Shahri, Co-Founder of Chrome Asia Hospitality, added on Chirag’s appointment, “ At Chrome Asia Hospitality, we’ve always believed that a strong culinary voice is key to building truly memorable experiences. Chirag brings a rare combination of technical depth and intuitive creativity, which allows him to craft menus that feel both exciting and accessible. With Late Checkout and Lyla BKC, his ability to navigate distinct culinary directions while maintaining a cohesive philosophy makes him the perfect fit to lead this next phase of growth.”
With this appointment, Chrome Asia Hospitality reinforces its commitment to delivering distinctive, experience-led dining, where food, beverage, and atmosphere come together seamlessly under Chef Chirag Makwana’s creative direction.
