Vijay Kumar ( @chef.vijayakumar ) is a chef-partner at Semma ( @semmanyc , the only Michelin Star [ @michelinguide ] Indian restaurant in New York City), one of the hottest food spots in the city!
He joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss transitioning from engineering to being a chef to excel in the culinary mecca of New York, going from starting a business in only two months to having his authentic South Indian food be recognized by the likes of the New York Times and Padma Lakshmi ( @padmalakshmi ), him sharing the best part about running the restaurant and so much more.
Follow Vijay:
– Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chef.vijayakumar/)
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Timestamps
00:19 – Ara introduces this week’s guest, Vijay Kumar
01:17 – What led him to this career path
02:59 – The demand of running a restaurant
04:42 – Wondering if he should’ve stuck with engineering
05:46 – Moving to New York City
09:34 – Coming up with the restaurant name; Semma?
10:42 – Building up his business; how long did it take?
12:24 – Cooking unapologetically
14:35 – The reception he received from non-Indian New Yorkers
16:26 – How he got a Michelin star
17:53 – Hosting Padma Lakshmi at his restaurant
20:00 – Not taking a vacation in three years
20:24 – His favourite dish to cook
21:08 – The exaggeration of cooking shows/movies
21:58 – Will he become a global brand ambassador for Indian cuisine?
22:41 – Initially aspiring to break barriers
23:37 – Are there negatives to his restaurant receiving so much attention?
24:09 – His favourite places to eat at in New York
26:20 – His favourite thing about New York City; the welcoming vibe
26:58 – One of his biggest learning lessons; COVID
28:57 – The Tamil community in New York City
30:01 – Advice he would give his 16-year-old self
30:57 – How he wants to be remembered by friends and family
31:48 – Creator Confessions
39:35 – The Wrap Up
Intro Music
Produced And Mixed By:
– The Tamil Creator
– Yanchan
Written By:
– Aravinthan Ehamparam
– Yanchan Rajmohan
