Munna Maharaj A name, a craze, a tradition

Mr. Dipak Kumar Singh alias Munna Maharaj started an apprenticeship under his father who was a local Mithai vendor working out of the streets of Burra Bazar in Kolkata at a tender age of seven. By age fourteen, he set off on his own without any capital, mentor, or support, making Mithai and selling door-to-door. Quickly he expanded his repertoire to become a traditional Halwai for hire, cooking in homes for events and festivities.

Gifted with creativity and magic in his hands, he started innovating and presented to the crowd dishes unseen by the hands of a Halwai before. Vegetarian food being his forte, he recreated international delicacies to suit the Indian palette and added it to the Indian wedding catering menu which earlier limited itself to traditional cuisines. By 1985, Munna Maharaj became the most sought-after caterer in India for grand weddings. The name Munna Maharaj started to resonate with unmatched excellence. Beyond the impeccable service and extraordinary taste, it was the constant innovation and Munna’s adaptive style that excelled his growth and fame. He kept introducing new concepts and items in his work, finding inspiration with local and international food.

In 2004, his work went abroad, perhaps being the first Indian caterer doing a one of a kind, large scale, lavish destination wedding in Europe. Since then, he has worked across the globe for Indian and foreign clientele. Munna’ji in essence has seen the Indian catering industry from its growing stage to the giant that it is today. His prowess particularly with Mithaai and Indian cuisines is unmatched, keeping him at the top of his game for 40 years now. When asked what he credits his brilliance to, he says it’s his devotion to the craft and dedication to keep improving himself; he regards his work with great reverence and is grateful for every opportunity to showcase his true passion that is serving excellent food.