- Indian cuisine orders on CookUnity grew over 40% year over year in 2025 delivering over 1.3 million dishes, with Atlanta, Seattle, Chicago, Austin and New York leading the surge in popularity.
- During the week of October 20, ahead of Diwali Festival of Lights, CookUnity saw a further 53% spike in Indian meal orders across the USA
- Among the most popular Indian dishes on CookUnity this year are Curried Grilled Chicken with Spiced Cauliflower, South Indian Style Chicken Curry, Shrimp Moilee Coconut and Desi Style Butter Chicken Breast, timeless classics that bring the spirit of Diwali to American tables.
- Award-winning chefs Aarthi Sampath, Akhtar Nawab, Meena Sreenivas, and Gaurav Raj share their favorite dishes and traditions, celebrating the flavors, family and joy of Diwali
With the Diwali Festival of Lights just around the corner, CookUnity, the first and only meal delivery platform powered by award-winning chefs, is spotlighting the Indian dishes Americans like the most.
Indian cuisine continues to gain fans across the United States, with orders of Indian-inspired meals on CookUnity growing over 40% year over year in 2025 delivering over 1.3 million dishes1. The trend is especially strong in major cities, with the top five markets showing fastest growth in Indian food orders being:
- Atlanta – 6%
- Seattle – 5%
- Chicago – 6%
1 Based on total orders of Indian-inspired dishes placed on the CookUnity platform during the rolling 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, compared to the same 12-month period ending September 30, 2024.
- Austin – 9%
- New York – 9%
During the week of October 20, leading up to Diwali, the platform saw a remarkable 53% increase in Indian cuisine orders, underscoring how the Festival of Lights is inspiring Americans to explore bold, authentic flavors2.
With CookUnity’s community of celebrated chefs specialized in Indian cusine, including Aarthi Sampath, Akhtar Nawab, Gaurav Raj, and Meena Sreenivas, timeless classics remain at the heart of the celebration. Dishes such as Chicken Biryani, Samosas and Butter Chicken, are some of their favorites for Diwali gatherings. Among CookUnity’s eaters, the most popular with diners this year include3:
- Curried Grilled Chicken with Spiced Cauliflower
- South Indian Style Chicken Curry
- Shrimp Moilee Coconut
- Desi Style Butter Chicken Breast
This Diwali, CookUnity is making it easier than ever for people to experience the flavors of India, whether it’s a slow braised lamb biryani, spicy cauliflower, curry or saffron rice infused with cardamom. As Indian cuisine continues to rise in popularly and ahead of Diwali celebration, CookUnity Indian Chefs are sharing their tips for having the best Diwali dinner celebration:
Chef Aarthi Sampath, New York based, Mumbai-born culinary innovation, TV personality, and Food Network Chopped winner whose journey spans the prestigious Taj Hotels in India to Micheline-starred Junnon in NYC, and Master Chef Tamil judge. INSTAGRAM
“Diwali is a season of color, connection, and irresistible aromas wafting from my family’s kitchen. Every year my mom and I made rangoli before sunrise, that’s one of my fondest memories. For me Diwali means new clothes, sparking lights, and sharing homemade sweets and snacks with loved ones and neighbors. My favorite dishes are from South India, like my mom’s Chicken Biryani, homemade Paneer Makhni and Maharashtrian Srikhand
with saffron and cardamom, that are part of my roots and love for Indian home cooking. Diwali was always about togetherness, the food, the lights, the laughter. I want every bite I make to bring back that joy”.
2 Based on total orders of Indian-inspired dishes placed on the CookUnity platform during the week of October 13-20, 2025 compared to the week of October 24-31, 2024 – week of the Diwali celebrations.
3 Based on total orders from the rolling 12-month period ending September 30, 2025, compared to the same 12-month period ending September 30, 2024.
Chef Akhtar Nawab, Kentucky raised and Indian heritage Chef, author and restaurateur behind Alta Calidad, Wayward Fare in New York and founder of Hospitality HQ.
“I’ve spent my life celebrating Diwali with friends and the vibrant Indian community, and it’s impossible not to be swept up by the lights, laughter, and incredible food. My favorites are the snackable classics: samosas, sev, gulab jamun, and chole bhature—all unbelievably addictive. This celebration transcends religion; it’s about sharing good food and good company under the glow of festive lights. To me, Diwali is simply this: delicious food and friends to share it with.”
Chef Meena Sreenivas, trained from Hudson County´s College of Culinary Arts.
“Diwali is a celebration of light, love and shared sweetness. Growing up in Kerala, I remember the glow of sparklers and the rows of diyas (oil lamps), that filled my home with warmth. My three Diwali must-haves are diyas, sweets, and good energy. While every region celebrates differently, for me this holiday always centers on family and food with my dishes like Rosewater Panna Cotta, Butter Chicken, and my signature Ghee Rice with Roasted Chicken, a Kerala favorite that now I am sharing with everyone through CookUnity. There may not be one traditional Diwali dish, but the act of cooking and great food is the real tradition”.
Chef Gaurav Raj, founder of Rasai restaurant in Seattle and one of CookUnity´s celebrated Indian chefs.
“I still remember helping my family string marigold around the house and sneaking into the kitchen to steal a warm jalebi straight from the syrup. In India, Diwali isn’t just the festival of lights, it’s the festival of flavors. Every home glows with lamps, laughter, and the aroma of sweets and snacks made with love. My must-have are the classics: Motichoor Ladoo, Gulab Jamun, Kaju Katli, Barfi, and Jalebi, timeless desserts that capture the joy and generosity of the season. Whether you´re lighting diyas, sharing gifts, or gathering around the table, Diwali is about the warmth of food and togetherness it brings”.
About CookUnity
CookUnity is a premium, chef-made meal delivery platform that connects top chefs with discerning consumers seeking restaurant-quality meals delivered to their doorstep. With a mission to redefine convenience without compromising on taste or quality, CookUnity offers a diverse menu curated by culinary professionals, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Through innovative partnerships and a commitment to culinary excellence, CookUnity aims to reimagine the home dining experience, making chef-prepared meals accessible to food enthusiasts throughout North America. With thousands of recipes developed by top chefs, CookUnity offers the greatest range of cuisines for food enthusiasts. Learn more at CookUnity.com.
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Press Contact:Carlos Olivos
PR Director at CookUnity carlosolivos@cookunity.com
