Le Cirque Signature at The Leela Palace Bengaluru Welcomes Michelin-Starred Araya from Singapore
Bengaluru: Le Cirque Signature at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, in collaboration with Culinary Culture, is set to welcome Araya, Singapore’s Michelin-starred Chilean restaurant, for an exclusive two-day culinary pop-up on 11th and 12th September 2026. Led by Chefs Francisco Araya and Fernanda Guerrero, the experience brings together the soul of Chilean heritage and Japanese precision, with a thoughtful expression of South American and Japanese ingredients shaped by seasonality, provenance and craftsmanship.
Araya is the world’s first and only Michelin-starred Chilean restaurant, founded by Chefs Francisco Araya and Fernanda Guerrero. The restaurant draws on the chefs’ journeys through Chile, Japan and Europe, with Chef Francisco’s cuisine combining his Chilean roots with Japanese techniques and ingredients. His culinary journey includes acclaimed kitchens such as Mugaritz, Boragó and elBulli, as well as 81 Restaurant in Tokyo, where he earned a Michelin star in 2013 at the age of 29.
Speaking about the upcoming experience, Naval Kukreti, EAM Food & Beverage, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, said, “At Le Cirque Signature, we are always looking to create experiences that offer our guests something distinctive and memorable. Welcoming Araya, in collaboration with Culinary Culture, allows us to present a cuisine that is deeply rooted in Chilean heritage while shaped by the precision and philosophy of Japan. We are delighted to bring Chef Francisco Araya’s culinary journey to Bengaluru and believe Le Cirque Signature provides the perfect setting for this exceptional experience.”
Known for its refined Franco-Italian cuisine, elegant interiors and attentive service, Le Cirque Signature offers an intimate setting for this special culinary encounter. Its sophisticated interiors, centred around a grand Murano chandelier, alongside its al fresco setting overlooking the palace’s manicured gardens, create an elegant stage for experiences that celebrate culinary artistry.
The experience will feature a curated course tasting menu with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian journeys, beginning with highlights such as Ama ebi, a delicate opening bite centred on sweet ama ebi, and Tartlet, smoked eel mousse and caviar, a crisp tartlet filled with smoked eel mousse and finished with caviar. The menu continues with Hokkaido scallops ceviche, leche de tigre and avocado sorbet, pairing delicate scallops with bright leche de tigre and avocado sorbet, and Kinki rockfish moqueca, prepared in a moqueca-inspired style. The vegetarian journey features Tomato meringue, a light and crisp opening bite, followed by Cauliflower tartlet, Gruyère and merkén, Beetroot confit, quinoa and port gel, and Yuba moqueca, each offering a considered interpretation of seasonal ingredients. The experience concludes with Pavlova, custard apple, fresh orange and meringue flowers, pairing delicate meringue with custard apple and fresh orange, followed by Chocolate bonbons.
Speaking about bringing Araya to Bengaluru, Chef Francisco Araya, Co-Founder and Chef, Araya, said, “Araya is deeply connected to Chile, to our memories and to the ingredients and traditions that shaped us. Japan has equally influenced the way we approach technique, precision and respect for every ingredient. Bringing these influences together is a reflection of our journey, and we are very happy to share that journey with guests in Bengaluru.”
The two-day experience will offer guests an opportunity to discover Chile, reimagined through Japan, in the elegant surroundings of Le Cirque Signature at The Leela Palace Bengaluru.
