In a celebration of culinary storytelling, cultural heritage and local flavours, Chef Himanshu Saini of Dubai’s acclaimed Trèsind Studio will welcome South Africa’s Chef Johannes Richter for a unique cross-continental collaboration, presenting a two-night dining experience on 31 May and 1 June 2025.
Blending the rich tapestry of India’s diverse gastronomy with the hyper-local flavours of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, this one-of-a-kind event promises an immersive journey through the tastes, traditions, and tales of two extraordinary countries.
“It’s an absolute honour to cook alongside Chef Himanshu; his showcasing of India on the global culinary stage is incredibly inspiring,” says Johannes, adding, “I’m looking forward to bringing a taste of what we do in KwaZulu-Natal to Trèsind Studio, and sharing the stories of these two beautiful places.”
Chef Himanshu Saini’s Rising India menu is a trailblazing tribute to the country’s immense diversity, weaving a narrative that spans the Thar Desert, Deccan Plateau, coastal plains, and Himalayan mountains. Through contemporary techniques rooted in the traditions of Indian cooking, Saini has redefined perceptions of Indian cuisine – a vision that has earned Trèsind Studio two Michelin stars and 13th place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. In 2024, he was also honoured with three knives and named Best Chef Dubai at The Best Chef Awards, further cementing his global influence and Trèsind Studio’s standing as the world’s best Indian restaurant.
Meanwhile, across the Indian Ocean, Chef Johannes Richter – recently crowned Chef of the Year at the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2025, where his restaurant The LivingRoom also earned three stars and the Green Star award for sustainability – is celebrated for his hyper-endemic approach to modern fine dining. Drawing inspiration from KwaZulu-Natal’s indigenous ingredients, the nostalgia of a Durban childhood, and the region’s rich cultural mosaic, Richter’s The LivingRoom Experience presents a multi-course tasting menu that champions biodiversity, celebrates cultural heritage, and leads the charge for sustainable, minimal-waste cuisine.
Over the course of the two evenings, diners will experience an exceptional blend of these two deeply personal culinary philosophies. The collaborative menu will feature a ten-course tasting experience that seamlessly weaves between Indian and South African flavours, techniques, and narratives, offering a dining journey that transcends borders.
This collaboration is the first of a two-part series of events with the second collaboration with Chef Himanshu scheduled to take place in South Africa later this year.
Event Details:
Dates: 31 May & 1 June 2025
Seatings: 18:00 and 21:15 (GST)
Price: AED1295
Venue: Trèsind Studio, Dubai
Reservations: www.tresindstudio.com
Contact: +971588951272
*Read more about Chef Johannes Richter and The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate in the latest issue of SA Chef Magazine.
