Essence at The Pantiles

These guys don't need an introduction! This is one of my favourite restaurants in town and I'm so excited to welcome @chefatulkochhar, @jitindar.singh and the amazing team behind the gorgeous, chick restaurant @essence.pantiles. Enjoy! 🤍

Tell us about your journey from the business idea to launching the business. 

Having loved the response we received from Pub In The Park a few years back, and the success of Indian Essence in Petts Wood our first restaurant in Kent, myself and Atul decided we would love to open in this beautiful town, along the famous historic colonnades of The Pantiles. When Covid hit we weren't sure if we would be able to, with so many businesses not surviving the pandemic, but we came through it and opened with one positive bang! Our launch party and our one year anniversary party were dubbed 'the parties of the century',  just ask anyone who attended. The Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells still talk about it today!

What's been your biggest achievement since starting your business?

Since opening on 06 February 2024 we were nominated for the 'Members Choice' award at Tunbridge Wells Business Awards, by The TN Card and were delighted to say we won. It was an honour to present this year's to Stampede. Chef Kuldeep also competed in a 'Ready Steady Cook' fundraiser with five top Chefs for Nourish Community Food Bank, at Trinity Theatre, coming runner-up to Robin Read of The Counter. We all proudly raised over £5000 for this incredible charity.

What inspired you to start the business?

Both Atul and myself have over 30 years of experience in our field, First in India and then here in the UK, so hospitality really is in our bones. Like many, we also sight our mother's as our true inspiration, spurring us on. Atul was the first Indian Chef in the UK to win a Michelin star at Tamarind and then went on to win a second at Benares. Now with flagship Kanishka and several other restaurants, including Essence and Indian Essence in Kent with myself, we continue to build a legacy we hope someday to pass down. 

What does the future look like? Any events or news we should keep an eye for?

We already have a full itinerary of regional supper clubs, four hands dinners with exceptional guest chefs, live music festivals and collaborations planned. We are always endeavouring to promote multicultural diversity in the town and so hope to be working with the organisers of The Mela, Tunbridge Wells Council and Tunbridge Wells Bid in the new year. Our Bollywood Night on The Pantiles was a huge success, so look out for more of this in 2026.

What message would you like to send to our community of small business owners?

We would like to thank them for making us so welcome in Tunbridge Wells. Two years on we really feel part of the community, and love working together towards a common goal of success and prosperity. Long may it continue. "Alone we might, together we will".

Follow them here: @essence.pantiles