A pint-sized chef is serving the most Instagrammable dinner experience in Delhi
At a time when experiential dining is making waves in the alcohol-beverage industry, watching a tiny chef leap across your table, dodge fiery woks, and whisk up a five-course masterpiece while you sit back in a chef's hat, giggling like a kid, that's one experience that you will be coming to Shangri-La for again and again. Le Petit Chef's third chapter, 'Become the World's Greatest Chef' is an immersive global dining experience that's as much theatre as it is a tasting menu.'We wanted to offer more than a meal, we wanted to tell a story that unfolds on your plate,' says Chef Gagandeep Singh Sawhney, executive chef and Culinary Centre of Excellence Cuisine specialist, MEIA Region, at Shangri-La Group.'Each course is a chapter in a journey where the diner evolves from a curious novice to a master chef.'First created in May 2015 by Skullmapping, a Belgian artistic collective founded by Filip Sterckx and Antoon Verbeeck, Le Petit Chef uses 3D projection mapping to bring a six-centimetre-tall animated chef to life on your plate, literally.
Le Petit Chef's third chapter, 'Become the World's Greatest Chef' is an immersive global dining experience.
The latest edition of Le Petit was launched on May 9, 2025.Where food meets theatricsThe menu plays along with the storyline. Think of it as a global top chef meets Ratatouille.The show kicks off with whimsical dishes like the Candy Tomato and Burrata Tart - light, artful, and full of flair - followed by mains such as Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli or Chicken Roulade, depending on your preference, each layered with richness and depth.
The dishes are part of the 5-course meal served during the experience.
As the animated chef ups his game, so does the flavour.The grand finale is a DIY dessert experience, where guests are given piping bags and ingredients to complete their own dish, mimicking the chef's final test. 'The dessert session is not just interactive, it's symbolic,' Chef Gagandeep says. 'It marks the moment the diner becomes the chef.'
The DIY dessert.
In a room dimmed to perfection, projectors turn each table into a canvas, plates light up, the centrepiece is changed to suit each narrative, and guests giggle as the tiny chef flips, dances, and occasionally sets your table on (animated) fire.A global phenomenon with local soulWith its roots in Belgium and presence in over 100 countries, you might expect Le Petit Chef to follow a strict script, but that's not the case. 'We maintain the global story arc, but the menu adapts,' Chef Gagandeep explains.'For India, we've created vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus, which is a deliberate nod to our cultural diversity.'Behind the scenes, it's nothing short of a culinary orchestra. Skullmapping provides the blueprint, an animated storyline and a visual framework. Then, it's up to the chefs, service team, and tech crew to sync every detail. 'It's a showcase of precision,' says the chef. 'We train extensively to make sure the storytelling, plating, and service unfold in harmony.'A visitor's takeadvertisementDelhi might not have a dearth when it comes to experiential dining, but this one beats most. Why? Well, it's the theatrics for starters. The experience, which lasts for close to two hours, keeps you invested, children and adults alike. You are bound to leave with a smile, and who knows, you can even befriend a guest or two across the table while you are at it, enjoying the experience.While the food in itself may not steal the spotlight, it's the immersive, all-around experience that makes this one worth recommending.Available days - Friday, Saturday & SundayShow timings:First seating: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.Second seating: 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.For menu packages and other details, check this link.- Ends
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