For the first time, Kona Kona opens its kitchen to an independent, women-led culinary voice with a special three-day pop-up by Raina Pandey — a self-taught chef from Lucknow whose food is steeped in tradition, soul, and serious flavour.
From 18th to 20th July, Raina brings her signature dishes — Nihari, Kakori Kebabs, and Galawati Kebabs — from her home kitchen in Lucknow straight to Mumbai. Slow-cooked in small batches and frozen at peak flavour, the dishes are finished fresh at Kona Kona for this limited-time experience.
Raina’s recipes are a modern-day homage to the royal kitchens of Awadh, grounded in age-old techniques and time-tested ingredients. Her Nihari is simmered overnight with bone marrow and over 20 hand-roasted spices, while her Kakori and Galawati Kebabs are velvety, fragrant, and packed with nuance — proof that melt-in-your-mouth doesn’t mean compromising on depth or complexity.
This collaboration took shape when Mona Singh, founder of Kona Kona, tasted Raina’s food at a private meal and was instantly drawn to its honesty and craft. Recognising the talent, she invited Raina to take over the kitchen, marking the start of a new series of pop-ups dedicated to women-led kitchens.
Raina is the first in this lineup, part of Mona’s larger vision to create real space for independent women in food, where their work isn’t just appreciated, but amplified and brought into the spotlight.
Raina’s journey began eight years ago with a handful of handwritten family recipes, cooking for friends and word-of-mouth orders out of her home kitchen. “This pop-up is more than just food for me — it’s a piece of my home, my story, and everything I’ve built quietly over the years. I’m proud to bring Lucknow’s legacy to a new table,” she shares. Today, her food reaches homes, gatherings, and now, for the first time, a Mumbai restaurant.
At its core, Kona Kona’s pop-up series is about more than just good food — it’s about true stories, fresh perspectives, and creating a seat at the table for women ready to cook on their own terms. Raina’s is one more delicious reason to pull up a chair.
Details:
Date : 18th–20th July, Kona Kona
Instagram: @konakona_mumbai
