Exclusive Interview: Award-Winning Chef Manuel Olveira of ‘La Loca Maria’ and ‘La Panthera’ Speaks to Lyfestyle!
There’s a reason Mumbai is often described as ‘Maximum City.’ Not only does it serve as an economic powerhouse, but it also stands as a melting pot of cultures, creating a vibrant culinary scene.
Among the city’s dining gems, La Loca Maria stands out for its Spanish cuisine, thanks to the talents of award-winning Chef Manuel Olveira and his wife, Mickee Tuljapurkar. Their success led to the creation of La Panthera, a chic, modern European restaurant that has quickly captured Mumbai’s culinary imagination. We at Masala! had the pleasure of speaking with Chef Olveira about his journey, culinary philosophy, and more. Here’s what he shared:
Lyfestyle!: How did your upbringing in Toledo, Spain, influence your cooking style and preferences? What cultural influences have shaped your journey from Toledo to Mumbai?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “Growing up in Toledo, surrounded by my family’s restaurant business, I spent countless hours in the kitchen with my mother. Watching her prepare traditional Spanish dishes, from paella to gazpacho, instilled in me a deep appreciation for fresh ingredients and bold flavors. These early experiences have been fundamental to my cooking style.”
Lyfestyle!: How do you incorporate Spanish culinary traditions with Mumbai’s diverse flavors at La Loca Maria?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “Moving from Toledo to Mumbai was a thrilling culinary journey. The vibrant Mumbai markets, with their rich spices and varied ingredients, inspired me to blend these bold flavors with the traditional Spanish techniques I learned growing up. While I remain true to Spanish cuisine, I occasionally adapt our dishes, like adding a hint of red chili to our patatas bravas, to resonate with local tastes without losing their Spanish essence.”
Lyfestyle!: What has been the most rewarding part of working with your wife, Mickee Tuljapurkar, on these restaurants?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “Mickee and I are each other’s confidantes. Her vision has been crucial in shaping both La Loca Maria and La Panthera. Working with someone you love adds a unique layer of trust and support. She has an amazing sense of humor and can always boost my confidence or clear my mind when needed.”
Lyfestyle!: How do you balance your personal and professional lives while managing two successful restaurants?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “Balancing work and personal life is challenging, but we’ve found a rhythm. We avoid bringing work conflicts home and always resolve disagreements without getting personal. Delegating responsibilities to our trusted team helps us manage both our personal lives and the demands of our restaurants.”
Lyfestyle!: What is your creative process for developing new dishes for La Loca Maria and La Panthera?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “Creating new dishes is exciting and can come from various sources—seasonal produce, travel experiences, and team brainstorming sessions. We constantly explore new flavor combinations and techniques to keep our menu fresh and appealing.”
Lyfestyle!: How do you keep the menu fresh and relevant with current food trends?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “We focus on innovation and adapting to feedback from our diners. Introducing seasonal menus, like Mango Specials or Black Truffle Menus, helps keep our offerings exciting and aligned with current trends.”
Lyfestyle!: How do you approach designing the bar program to complement the food at your restaurants?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “Our bar program is crafted in-house using modern techniques like fermentation and rapid infusions. At La Loca Maria, we offer signature cocktails, traditional Spanish drinks, and unique creations. La Panthera features a curated list of 14 signature cocktails paired with thoughtfully chosen tapas.”
Lyfestyle!: What are some must-try dishes at La Loca Maria and La Panthera?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “At La Loca Maria, don’t miss our paellas, Mushroom & Truffle Croquettes, and fish tacos. At La Panthera, try the Naples-style pizzas, beetroot carpaccio, and the New Zealand Lamb Chops.”
Lyfestyle!: What advice would you give to aspiring chefs?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “The kitchen is demanding and often far from glamorous. Success requires drive, patience, and respect for every element of the kitchen—people, equipment, and ingredients.”
Lyfestyle!: How do you see Mumbai’s culinary scene evolving, and what role do you hope to play in its growth?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “Mumbai’s culinary scene is vibrant and evolving, with a growing appreciation for diverse cuisines. We aim to contribute to this dynamic scene by offering unique, familiar flavors and expanding our reach through collaborations and pop-up events.”
Lyfestyle!: Can you describe a typical day in your life as the head chef of two busy restaurants?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “My day starts early with exercise to stay energized. I spend time between both restaurants, overseeing food preparation, managing the team, and ensuring smooth service. It’s demanding but deeply fulfilling.”
Lyfestyle!: What is your vision for the future of La Loca Maria and La Panthera?
Chef Manuel Olveira: “We aim to stay ahead of trends while staying true to our roots. Our goal is to offer diverse Spanish and European flavors and create a vibrant culinary community. We’re looking forward to expanding our reach through collaborations and new ventures.”
