Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor has highlighted the remarkable rise of Indian cuisine in Australia, attributing it to a renewed sense of cultural pride among the Indian diaspora and growing curiosity among local Australians. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Kapoor said the shift reflects a broader global embrace of 'Indianness' that is reshaping food culture on multiple continents.

The Cultural Shift Behind the Culinary Rise

Kapoor explained that Indian food's global ascent is deeply tied to identity. 'Indian cuisine has been growing very, very strongly because of the whole Indianness. There has been a global respect for it in the last few years. Earlier, even Indians were not really proud of their Indianness. Now they are keeping, they are showing off the Indianness, right? And the world is loving it. So food is no different when it comes to Australia,' he said.

This comes amid a broader trend of diaspora communities reclaiming and celebrating their culinary heritage — a pattern visible across the UK, Canada, and the United States as well. Australia, with its rapidly growing South Asian population, appears to be at the forefront of this shift.

The 'Singh Overtakes Smith' Moment

Kapoor cited a striking demographic detail to underscore just how significant the Indian presence in Australia has become. 'One fun fact — in Melbourne this year, their biggest newspaper carried this thing where the 'Singh' surname overtook 'Smith'. There are more 'Singhs' in Melbourne than 'Smiths' — this was the front page story,' he noted. The anecdote, while illustrative, points to a community large enough to visibly reshape the cultural and commercial landscape of one of Australia's largest cities.

Indian Products in Australian Supermarkets

Beyond restaurants, Kapoor pointed to the retail sector as evidence of Indian cuisine's mainstream penetration. Supermarkets across Australia now stock a wide range of Indian products, he said, including those from his own brand. 'I can say that not only South Asians but also the local Australian Caucasians, there is a growing interest in Indian flavors,' Kapoor added. He also noted that Australia's strong historical ties with Britain have primed local palates — 'Australia has a very large English British influence, who traditionally have liked Indian flavors.'

Why It Matters Beyond the Plate

The mainstreaming of Indian cuisine in markets like Australia carries economic implications as well. Indian food and beverage exports, spice brands, and ready-to-cook products are finding shelf space in mainstream retail chains — a channel that was largely inaccessible a decade ago. Notably, this trend aligns with India's broader push to promote its culinary heritage internationally through initiatives like the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and food diplomacy efforts.

As Indian communities continue to grow in Australia, and as local consumers increasingly seek bold, flavourful cuisines, the trajectory Kapoor describes shows little sign of slowing down.