Chef Juhi Lochan Shrestha

Born in the quiet hills of Khalanga, Pyuthan, Chef Juhi Lochan Shrestha grew up with a life shaped by movement and adaptation. Her father’s government service meant frequent relocations, exposing her to the diverse cultures and flavors of Nepal at a young age. Eventually, her family settled in Bhaktapur, where her mother, Nirmala Kakshapati, founded the Global Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism Technical Center (GIHMTTC). It was here that Juhi’s destiny began to take shape. Surrounded daily by aspiring hoteliers and chefs training at her mother’s institute, Juhi’s curiosity for the world of hospitality slowly took root.

Interestingly, Juhi’s first dream was to become a nurse. She imagined herself in a white coat, with tools like a stethoscope, caring for patients. But fate had a different plan. Watching students in her mother’s institute, she found herself drawn to the kitchen—where another kind of white coat awaited her. Instead of treating illnesses, she realized she could nourish lives with fresh ingredients and soulful meals, spreading health and happiness through her culinary art.

Determined to follow this new path, Juhi enrolled at NATHM (Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management), one of Nepal’s most prestigious hospitality colleges. She pursued her Bachelor’s in Hotel Management (BHM) and later her Master’s in the same field. During her studies, she secured an internship at Hilton Malaysia, an opportunity that broadened her horizons and gave her invaluable international exposure. By 2014, she had proudly graduated with her BHM degree.

While many graduates dream of working under others, Juhi’s entrepreneurial spirit pushed her to create something of her own. Soon after graduation, she co-founded Wow Burger, a small fast-food venture with friends. Though the restaurant was later sold, it gave her a firsthand taste of business operations. In 2016, she ventured into a new project, opening Khaja Time in Kamal Pokhari. The eatery quickly gained popularity and even featured on Oshin Sitaula’s popular TV program Food Hunt. Once again, after gaining valuable experience, she sold the business, ready to embrace new opportunities.

Parallel to her ventures, Juhi remained connected to her mother’s institute, conducting culinary training for students from diverse backgrounds, including those who were differently abled or from vulnerable communities. This work not only honed her skills as a trainer but also deepened her understanding of food’s power to uplift lives.

It was during this period that Juhi joined hands with her business partner—who would later become her husband—to start Sushi Time in Baneshwor. With her husband’s Swiss hospitality training and passion for Japanese cuisine, the restaurant flourished. Today, Sushi Time continues to delight food lovers, with Juhi as an active partner, lending her expertise and creativity whenever needed.

Despite her successes, Juhi still felt the pull to challenge herself further. She wanted to experience the rigor of working in a five-star hotel kitchen, a path not often encouraged in Nepali society, especially for women. Without even informing her family—knowing they might dissuade her—she applied for a position at Hilton Kathmandu. Her determination paid off when she was selected, marking a bold step in her career. For Juhi, working at Hilton was not just about professional growth; it was about breaking taboos and proving that women could thrive in hotel kitchens.

Over the years, Chef Juhi has built a repertoire of skills, mastering multi-cuisine cooking, menu engineering, the art of plating, food safety, and quality management. Her talent was nationally recognized in 2021 when she won the Nepalese Gastronomy Chef Competition, held at Aloft Hotel Kathmandu—a proud moment that cemented her place among Nepal’s most promising chefs.

From a young girl dreaming of wearing a nurse’s coat to a celebrated chef wearing her whites in the kitchen, Juhi Lochan Shrestha’s journey is one of passion, resilience, and purpose. Today, she continues to balance her roles as a hotel chef, entrepreneur, and trainer, proving that with dedication, one can not only chase dreams but also redefine them.