Full Disclosure feat. Sunny Baweja
Schedule
September 14, 2023
6:00 P.M. | Program
7:00 P.M. | Networking Reception
About
Sunny Baweja
Chef and Co Owner Lehja Restaurant
Sandeep (“Sunny”) Baweja of Lehja Restaurant in Short Pump, in the suburbs of Richmond, Va., has received critical acclaim for his work at this “modern Indian restaurant.”
Sunny is a self-trained chef and holds a master’s degree in business. He was born in a small village of Punjab, India, which is why “farm-to-table” is a standard norm for his cuisine. Sunny is a two-time semifinalist for the James Beard Award “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic.”
Lehja has received many accolades, including being named by Forbes’ John Mariani as “not only one of the best Indian restaurants in Virginia but one of the best restaurants in the country.” Esquire named it one of the 100 restaurants America ‘can’t afford to lose’ during the pandemic. Eater named it the “number one restaurant in Richmond.”
Richmond Magazine’s food writers and critics named it “Restaurant Of The Year “in 2017. Conde Nest Traveler Magazine named Lehja one of the best Southern Restaurants.
Lehja has been Featured on "Good Food America," an Emmy-nominated food show, as one of the healthiest restaurants in the country. Washingtonian Magazine's Food and Wine Editor Todd Kliman mentioned Lehja to be the “Best Indian outside of Washington DC's Rasika.” Lehja was also included among the top 15 must-visit RVA destinations by Washingtonian Magazine.
Sunny has been featured in many food festivals across the country. His modern take on classic chaat with tuna, avocado, pomegranate seeds, and puffed rice was adjudged by a Houston food critic the best dish. He has been awarded for the best dish "chaat" at Brad Appetit many times. He has created a winning Burger at Burger Blast and won a BBQ pork dish at the American Heart Ball.
Lehja's wine program has been critically acclaimed and awarded “Best of Award of Excellence“ by Wine Spectator. His love and passion for Indian cuisine is reflected in his food.