Aditi Dugar and Aditya Dugar, co-founders and directors of Urban Gourmet India, exert a notable influence on the discourse around Indian hospitality, courtesy their landmark venture Masque that showcases Indian ingredients and culture. For Aditya, the success of the Mumbai-based, fine-dining restaurant goes beyond accolades. “I am very proud to say that Masque has contributed immensely to putting contemporary Indian food on the world map,” he says, underscoring the importance of Indian hospitality and its command at a global stage.
Masque has won the Best Restaurant in India title for five consecutive years from 2022 to 2026 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, as well as the Art of Hospitality Award in 2026. For Aditi, the latter carries particular meaning because it recognises the human dimension of hospitality: making guests “feel seen and cared for”. Their understanding of luxury is entrenched in substance. Aditya believes the finest experiences are those where every detail, from design and service to food and ambience, comes together so seamlessly that “the guest never notices the million moving parts behind it”. For Aditi, luxury is more emotional: the experiences that linger are those that evoke “a sense of warmth, belonging, and joy”. Both of them believe India no longer needs a second-hand definition of luxury. Aditya argues Indian brands can “confidently define their own” benchmarks, drawing on India’s culture and craftsmanship. Their approach to business reflects the same philosophy: Aditya stresses consistency, teamwork and attention to detail, while Aditi champions curiosity and originality. Together, their vision extends beyond hospitality to the wider luxury landscape, with a keen eye on authenticity over imitation and ideas over convention. Aditi’s personal mantra succinctly captures their approach to work: “Stay curious and enter rabbit holes at will. It’s more fun to give life to ideas that become trends, rather than being the person to follow trends.”