Nayare Ali

This glamorous Mumbai-based entrepreneur is a master of culinary delights. In a light-hearted tête-à-tête, HELLO! gets a lesson on curated luxury experiences.

A renowned name in the world of bespoke gourmet experiences in India, Tasheen Rahimtoola rightfully earned a spot in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2022. Having transitioned from finance to hospitality, the entrepreneur today, with Taste Retreat by Tasheen R, curates exclusive meals and experiences for those with discerning gastronomical tastes. The venture also stemmed from her own appetite for the culinary sciences and carefully curated gifts, though she’s also expanded to curating end-to-end theme-based celebrations.

HELLO! speaks with this young businesswoman on her refined taste for travel, luxury and unforgettable gastronomical delights.

Luxury to me is: An emotion. A feeling of elegance, class, self-confidence and ultimate comfort. Contrary to popular belief, I feel like ‘luxury’ is an impression one can strive for and achieve, without being limited to a price tag.

My professional space: My culinary venture, Taste Retreat by Tasheen R, was conceptualised on the basis of my preference for made-to-order luxury services, experimentation and travel. We try to visualise what the customer has imagined and bring it to life.

Our unique idea was recognised further when I made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2022. Our latest conquests include bringing international cuisines and established products to India and expansion of our services to London and Dubai.

The most magnificent customised party I have curated: Curating a sit-down dinner for a 25th birthday remains one of my most favourite memorable and luxurious experiences. Inspired by London’s renowned Elan Café, it consisted of a glamorous menu with décor to match, and an eight-course meal, with the entire setup and décor inspired by the floral decadence of the restaurant. Each course was a recreation of the birthday girl’s favourite culinary memories and dishes from different restaurants from around the world.

My tips to create an out-of-the-box luxe experience: 1. Let your imagination run wild. To be different, you must think differently. So tap into your mind and use your imagination!

2. Create your own trend. If done right, you could be a trendsetter yourself! Instead of relying on what’s popular on social media, tap into your creativity.

My most luxe experiences: There are two things I’ve had the privilege of experiencing, which definitely go down as my favourite luxurious experiences. The first was being invited to the Louis Vuitton Men’s SS22 show at Paris Fashion Week. The second was the dining experience at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, where Chef Massimo Bottura is known for serving unique recreations of classic Italian fare — an unforgettable experience that pleases both the eyes and the taste buds, with modern, art-like iconic dishes.

The most extravagant travel destinations: Paris, Fiji, Seychelles and the Maldives. All provide a completely different experience but are luxury destinations I’d revisit in a heartbeat.

My favourite high-end labels: Zimmerman and Helmut Lang for their ready-to-wear clothing, Mach & Mach and Amina Muaddi for shoes, Loewe, Jacquemus and L’alingi for bags, and Chanel and Grainne Morton for jewellery and accessories.

Best winter buys: Knee-high, classic black winter boots. A knit, cashmere, mohair, or wool blend blanket (there are some amazing ones by Loewe, Erdem and Alanui) to add a luxe feel to the living area of your home. And the ‘chunky sweater’. There’s nothing more comfortable and effortlessly chic than wearing a cosy chunky sweater in winter!

Hotels that embody luxury to me: Park Hotel Vitznau in Switzerland, and Grand-Hotel du Cap Ferrat, a Four Seasons property in France.

Three must-haves in a woman’s closet: A signature lip colour, a signature scent or perfume and, most importantly, her confidence!

My style icons: Anna Wintour, Victoria Beckham and Mom. Growing up, I noticed my mother Azmina’s sense of style and was inspired to evolve my own before I even knew who global style icons were!

My personal style: Is an extension of my personality — bold, outgoing and quirky, with consistent undertones of classy.

My most precious belonging: Is an heirloom, an original diamond-weave pashmina shawl. This belonged to my grandmother and has been passed down to me. Hand-woven, with minimal embroidery, it still maintains its luxurious quality. In this day and age, it would be valued at a very high price. Though what truly makes it luxurious is the precious value it holds to me as a descendant.

My best culinary experiences: Le Louis XV, Alain Ducasse’s restaurant in Monte Carlo, Eleven Madison Park in New York and Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy.

This story has been adapted for the website from a story that was originally published in Hello! India’s December 2022 issue. Get your hands on the latest issue right here!

Interview: Nayare Ali; Photos: Ashima Mehra; Fashion editor: Sonam Poladia; Junior Stylist: Anushree Sardesai; Makeup: Sandhya Agarwal; Hair: Shikha Vardhan; Food Curaion & Table Setting: Taste Retreat by Tasheen R