Founder & Visionary: Chef Anees Khan StarAnise | A Culinary Legacy of Excellence/Patisserie | Bakery | Café | Catering | Cloud Kitchen/Founded: 2010 | Head Office: Mumbai, India
Early Life and Educational Background
Chef Anees Khan hails from the culturally rich state of Orissa, India. His passion for culinary arts developed early, inspiring him to pursue a formal education in hotel management. He graduated from the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Chennai in 1997. His journey into the culinary world began with an internship at The Leela Kempinski, Mumbai, where he transitioned from the hot kitchen to the pastry section under the mentorship of internationally trained chefs.
Foundational Training in Pastry Arts
It was at The Leela that Chef Anees discovered his deep-rooted passion for desserts and refined baking. He trained under Swiss Master Pastry Chef Beat Loeffel, who was instrumental in transforming the patisserie scene in India. This phase laid the groundwork for his lifelong devotion to pastry excellence, innovation, and finesse.
Early Career in India and Rise in the Hospitality Industry
Soon after his foundational training, Chef Anees took on the role of Head of Pastry at The Leela Goa, where he handled millennium celebrations and introduced fusion and Asian desserts. He later collaborated with celebrity chef Moshe Shek, helping design desserts and set up bakery kitchens for multiple cafes and restaurants. His return to mainstream hospitality saw him join Hyatt Regency Mumbai as a Sous Chef – Pastry, continuing to hone his skills in large-scale food production and luxury dessert presentation.
International Culinary Journey – A Global Footprint
Chef Anees’s global experience spans four continents, making him one of India’s most internationally exposed pastry chefs. He has held key positions at world-renowned hotels:
- Canada – Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta: Worked as Chef de Partie with top pastry professionals
- Egypt – JW Marriott, Cairo: Served as Executive Pastry Chef, mastering Arabic and Middle Eastern sweets
- Tanzania – Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski, Dar Es Salaam: Revamped the pastry section and trained local staff
- Oman – Six Senses Resort & Spa: Led a multicultural kitchen with chefs from over 35 nationalities
- Italy – Completed Advanced Gelato Training in Bologna, mastering artisanal frozen desserts
Notable Guests and Celebrity Clientele
Throughout his career, Chef Anees has served a distinguished clientele including:
- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his entourage
- Comedic legend Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean)
- Hollywood actor Robin Williams
- International cricketers like Andrew Strauss
His ability to consistently deliver exquisite desserts to VIPs and world leaders speaks volumes about his professionalism and creativity.
Return to India & Entrepreneurial Leap
In 2010, Chef Anees returned to Mumbai to fulfill his entrepreneurial dream. With over two decades of experience, he founded Star Anise Fine Foods & Leisure Pvt. Ltd., a premium culinary company focusing on patisserie, gourmet catering, bakery products, and food innovation. His goal was to bring global pastry standards to the Indian market while maintaining cultural relevance and local taste preferences.
Founder of Star Anise – A Gourmet Revolution
Star Anise operates out of a 3,500 sq. ft. central kitchen in Kurla West, Mumbai and services B2B and B2C clients. It has grown into a well-respected brand with patisserie outlets in Colaba, Bandra, Lodha Bel Air, and corporate café management at CapGemini, Airoli. The brand is known for its luxurious desserts, French entremets, pull-up cakes, gourmet sandwiches, and preservative-free products.
Awarded:
- “Best Bakery of the Year – Mumbai (2023)” by Food Connoisseurs India Awards
Multiple Ventures and Business Leadership
In addition to Star Anise, Chef Anees is the Co-founder of other successful ventures:
- Rizkee Fine Foods LLP (Brunch N Bite) – Bangalore-based gourmet concept
- Gourmelange Hospitality LLP – A food and beverage innovation company
He continues to inspire aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs through hands-on leadership and strategic mentorship.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Chef Anees Khan has been repeatedly honored for his creativity, entrepreneurship, and contributions to the culinary industry:
Chef Entrepreneur of the Year (2018) – WICA
- 🏆 Top Most Hospitality Icon (2023) – Asia Food Congress
- 🏆 Entrepreneur Chef of the Year (2023) – Better Kitchen Awards
- 🏆 Popular Choice Entrepreneur Chef (2023) – FBAI
- 🏆 Patisserie Maestro of India (2024) – Better Kitchen Awards
These awards reflect his status as one of the most innovative and admired chefs in India today.
Vision for the Future
Chef Anees envisions expanding Star Anise through franchise models, corporate partnerships, and retail expansions in high-end malls, multiplexes, and IT parks. He also aims to establish separate facilities for B2B and B2C operations, and eventually launch a pan-India premium dessert delivery service.
Additionally, Chef Anees plans to launch a culinary institute focused on pastry arts to groom the next generation of elite chefs.
Culinary Philosophy
Chef Anees believes in:
- Using natural ingredients only – no preservatives or artificial flavors
- Maintaining international standards with Indian adaptability
- Innovating while preserving tradition
- Training teams and promoting culinary discipline and excellence
He combines technical brilliance with artistic expression, making every creation a sensory delight.
StarAnise | A Culinary Legacy of Excellence
About StarAnise
StarAnise is a premium gourmet food brand that blends classic European techniques with local Indian flavors. Established in 2010 by celebrated pastry chef and hospitality entrepreneur Chef Anees Khan, the brand has become a trusted name for excellence in patisserie, bakery, and bespoke catering services.
Headquartered in Kurla West, Mumbai, the brand operates from a 3,500 sq. ft. central kitchen and supplies a vast range of products including artisanal desserts, cakes, breads, gourmet snacks, and full-service catering to:
- Cafes, banquets, and restaurants
- Corporate offices and embassies
- Luxury events and private parties
- Retail patisseries and kiosks across Mumbai
Key Awards:
USP: Fresh, preservative-free ingredients, creative food concepts, and impeccable presentation
Best Bakery of the Year – Mumbai (2023) by Food Connoisseurs India Awards
Multiple retail formats at Colaba, Bandra, Lodha Bel Air, and CapGemini Airoli
Chef Anees Khan – The Visionary Behind StarAnise
A native of Orissa and an alumnus of IHM Chennai (1997), Chef Anees Khan has carved a remarkable culinary journey that spans over 25 years, covering four continents and elite hotel brands. His dynamic leadership, creative flair, and entrepreneurial drive have made him one of India’s most influential pastry chefs.
What StarAnise Offers
Products
- Gourmet cakes, gateaux, French entremets, mousse desserts
- Viennoiserie, croissants, and fresh-baked artisan breads
- Pull-up cakes, tarts, savory items, sandwiches
- Zero-preservative, freshly crafted delights
Bespoke Services
- Event catering for 50–200 guests
- Banquet-style cuisine with live stations
- Snack boxes and sandwich fillings for corporates
- Customized menus for weddings and private parties
Retail & Café Locations
- Flagship Patisseries: Colaba, Bandra, Lodha Bel Air
- Café Operations: CapGemini, Airoli
- Diner Concept: Bambai (Versova)
Retail Format & Franchise Model
| Format | Size | Target Location |
|---|---|---|
| Patisserie Stores | 200–300 sq ft | High street, premium localities |
| Kiosks | 75–190 sq ft | Malls, multiplexes, IT parks, commercial centers |
| Café/Banquets | 700–5000 sq ft | Mumbai prime zones |
StarAnise is actively expanding and invites franchise and business partners to join its growth journey across Mumbai and other metros.
Future Vision
- Launch new production units to scale B2B and B2C independently
- Enter cinemas, malls, real estate hubs, and airports with kiosks & cafes
- Begin pan-India delivery of gourmet desserts
- Develop new culinary IPs and training institutes under Chef Anees’s guidance
Media & Recognition
StarAnise has been covered by top publications, food influencers, and radio shows, and is frequently chosen by celebrities and elite clientele for private events.
Contact Information
Chef Anees Khan
📧 anees@staranise.in | info@staranise.in
🌐 order.staranise.in
The Professional Journey of Chef Anees Khan
Chef Anees Khan, originally from Orissa, began his culinary journey after graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management, Chennai in 1997. His first posting was at The Leela Kempinski, Mumbai, where he worked in the hot kitchen before discovering his passion for pastry. Transferring to the patisserie section, he trained under Swiss Master Chef Beat Loeffel, who had a profound influence on his techniques and creativity in fine pastry.
He rose swiftly through the ranks, eventually becoming the Head Pastry Chef at The Leela Goa, where he managed large-scale events, including the millennium festivities, and developed expertise in Asian fusion desserts. After returning to Mumbai, he collaborated with celebrity chef Moshe Shek, setting up dessert menus for various cafés and restaurants. This was followed by a significant tenure as Sous Chef – Pastry at Hyatt Regency Mumbai.
His international journey began at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Canada. From there, he moved to JW Marriott in Cairo as Executive Pastry Chef, mastering Arabic desserts. He then led the patisserie operations at Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski in Tanzania and later at Six Senses Resort in Oman, serving distinguished guests such as Rowan Atkinson and Robin Williams. He further polished his craft with advanced gelato training in Bologna, Italy.
In 2010, Chef Anees returned to India to establish Star Anise Fine Foods & Leisure Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai. The brand flourished under his leadership, expanding into patisseries, cafés, and gourmet catering, winning the Best Bakery of the Year award in 2023. With over 25 years of experience, numerous accolades, and a global culinary perspective, Chef Anees is now one of India’s most respected pastry chefs and entrepreneurs, with plans to grow Star Anise across India and launch culinary training institutes for aspiring chefs.