South Asian Talent Shines in Lower Hutt: From Kitchen to Cricket Pitch
Lower Hutt is emerging as a hub of South Asian talent, from the kitchen to the cricket field. Award-winning chef Chetan Pangam has taken ownership of the Bellbird Eatery at the Dowse Art Museum, bringing more than 14 years of Indian-inspired culinary excellence to his first solo venture. Meanwhile, New Zealand cricketer Rachin Ravindra, whose very name is a tribute to his South Asian heritage, continues to captivate fans with a remarkable rise through international cricket.
🍛 Chef Chetan Pangam Opens His Dream Restaurant at Bellbird Eatery
Award-winning chef Chetan Pangam has stepped into ownership of Lower Hutt's Bellbird Eatery, the on-site restaurant at the Dowse Art Museum, marking a defining milestone in the city's culinary landscape. Pangam spent more than 14 years leading Wellington's acclaimed One80 restaurant before launching this, his first solo venture. His signature style was forged in some of India's finest luxury hotels, where he developed a deep mastery of bold spice combinations and the diverse regional cuisines of the subcontinent. That expertise translated into remarkable success in New Zealand: Pangam won the coveted Burger Wellington competition in both 2023 and 2024, and One80 was recognised in the Cuisine Good Food Guide. Now, at Bellbird, he is channelling that same creativity into a refreshed menu centred on local New Zealand producers, expanded evening dining, and the kind of inventive cooking that fuses Indian culinary traditions with the country's excellent seasonal ingredients. The restaurant's setting inside the Dowse Art Museum adds a cultural dimension that resonates with Pangam's own story as a chef who bridges two worlds. "It's always been my dream to have my own restaurant," he says. "When I walked into Bellbird, I saw huge potential — the open kitchen, the beautiful light, the connection to the Dowse. It felt like the right place to build something personal." His appointment signals a growing confidence in South Asian culinary talent shaping the Wellington region's dining identity. [7]
🎬 Rachin Ravindra: From Copying Sachin to International Stardom
New Zealand cricketer Rachin Ravindra's rise to international prominence is a story deeply rooted in South Asian heritage. Born to Indian parents who are passionate cricket fans, Ravindra was named after two legends of the sport — Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar — a tribute that would foreshadow a career of extraordinary promise. As a young player, he spent hours watching and emulating Sachin Tendulkar's batting techniques, absorbing the master's iconic cover drive and patient, accumulative approach to building innings. That dedication laid the foundations for a playing style that would earn him a place in New Zealand's national side and the adulation of fans across the cricket world. When Ravindra steps to the crease, his distinctive approach draws immediate recognition, and crowds chant "Rachin, Rachin" in a heartfelt nod to the idol who inspired him. His journey resonates deeply with the South Asian diaspora in New Zealand, who see in him both a sporting hero and a cultural bridge — a young man who honours his Indian roots while playing for his adopted homeland with distinction. Ravindra's story is a testament to how South Asian heritage continues to enrich New Zealand's sporting and cultural life, inspiring communities across the country including in the Wellington region and Lower Hutt. [6]
Sources: [7] hospitalitybusiness.co.nz · [6] Cricinfo