Here he worked as a sous chef in one of the five restaurants in the hotel supervising a staff of 18 and immediately raising the standards in the kitchen. In January 1994 Kochhar moved to the restaurant of chef Bernard Kunig. Kochhar continued his cooking career and in January 2001 at the age of 31, Kochhar was the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star.
In one of the five restaurants within the hotel, Kochhar served as a sous chef overseeing 18 staff members and improving kitchen standards. In January 1994, he moved to Bernard Kunig's restaurant. Continuing his culinary journey, in January 2001 at age 31, Kochhar became the first Indian chef to earn a Michelin star.