Recently opened in May 2026, MAAI is the debut restaurant from Nikita Pathakji, winner of MasterChef the Professionals in 2022 and Great British Menu in 2026. The restaurant - founded alongside her mother Rima and sister Isha - champions seasonal British produce whilst weaving in influences from Nikita’s heritage and wider travels across the globe.
To help deliver stunning desserts, Nikita sought the help of Carpigiani UK, and with the Labo 8.12 XPLP, creates wonderfully elegant ice cream offerings – the cherry on top of her relaxed yet considered menu.
Speaking on working alongside Carpigiani UK, Nikita comments:
“It has been fantastic to work with Carpigiani UK on the ice cream menu at MAAI by Nikita. Not only have they provided excellent service to fit the Labo machine, but Joe has also gone above and beyond to help with recipe development. He is a true expert in his field, and I’m very grateful for all the work he has put in to support the launch.”
Joe Yates, Training and Development Chef and Gelato Master at Carpigiani UK, comments:
“I’ve loved working with Nikita - it’s an honour to be able to support someone who is at the top of her game. At Carpigiani UK, we’re always here to help, whether that’s finding the best piece of equipment to suit your needs or helping with recipe and menu development. As true leaders in the industry, we love to share our knowledge and expertise. Congratulations to Nikita on the opening of MAAI, and on her recent win on Great British Menu. We can’t wait to see what she does next!”