Mehak Kansal
Mehak Kansal is a self-taught chef, and the founder of Indian restaurant Bindas Eatery in Shepherd’s Bush.
Starting her career as a property developer, Mehak later decided to change direction and follow her passion for food and cooking. After starting a small blog to share her recipes, followed by the launch of a supper club. In 2018 Mehak was awarded the Westfield Food Entrepreneur Award, resulting in winning a pop-up eatery which ultimately led to the launch of her permanent restaurant – Bindas Eatery at Westfield, Shepherd’s Bush.
She has recently opened in Mercato Metropolitano Canary Wharf serving some of Bindas’ signature dishes such as Chicken Makhani, Rajasthani Lamb Curry, Papri Chaat, Samosa Chaat and Biriyanis.
Mehak has also set her sights on another site in Canterbury where she will be creating her own market hall style concept featuring more brands of her own creation. Bindas will be operating there, Mexican concept, Mediterranean plates, Smash burgers & Gelato. The food offering will be varied, the space will feel industrial and cosy and the food innovative. The space will also feature a large bar with a wide variety of drinks craft cocktails, beers, wines and bubbles.
Bindas means “free spirit” and the restaurant’s core ethos is to serve globally inspired cuisine with an Indian soul. Bindas Eatery serves up epic Indian food as the whole menu has been curated using Mehak’s travel inspiration whilst also being rooted in Indian heritage.
Mehak’s aim is to shake up the Indian food scene with a carefully curated menu having been inspired by childhood memories of summers in India where she watched street food vendors cooking up wonders in the hustle and bustle of major cities. Growing up in Wiltshire, the heart of the countryside, Mehak learned how to produce vegetables and grow herbs. Through all this Mehak has combined her knowledge to experiment with alternative cooking techniques and flavours, creating her signature and innovative Indian cuisine.
Mehak is known for her own take on classic dishes, including the famous ‘Butter Chicken Bomb’ featuring spiced chicken thigh with melted cheese, lettuce, pickled cucumbers with makhani sauce in a toasted brioche bun. Other favourites include chicken makhani (butter chicken) Rajasthani style laal maas, a deep, spicy aromatic tender lamb curry, also a Keralan katsu curry, featuring panko fried chicken a fragrant and thick curry sauce with curry leaf, coconut and dried red chilli oil served with long grain basmati rice steamed in whole spices and topped with crispy fried onions.
Recently she has launched a new menu featuring prawn tikka tacos, king prawns marinated in Indian and Mexican spices served on corn tortillas, homemade aioli and a kuchumber de gallo. There are more delicious bits such as Hot Hummus, featuring a baked hummus served warm topped with an achari butter, keema and feta or crispy chickpeas and chilli with delicious naan to mop it all up.
Since opening the doors to Bindas Eatery in 2021, Mehak has gone on to launch various pop-ups across London, has featured on TV with Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch, and appeared in major publications such as The Caterer, Hot Dinners, Huffington Post, Country & Town House and Secret London.