Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Kumar Wins James Beard Award, Puts Semma and South Indian Cuisine on the Global Map

Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Kumar Wins James Beard Award, Puts Semma and South Indian Cuisine on the Global Map

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 20, 2025

In a historic win for Indian cuisine, Chef Vijay Kumar, hailing from a small village near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, has been awarded Best Chef: New York State at the prestigious James Beard Awards 2025. Held on Monday night in Chicago, the awards are regarded as one of the culinary world’s highest honours — and for the first time, an Indian restaurant and chef have claimed this top spot in New York.

Kumar is the Executive Chef of Semma, a restaurant that has revolutionized the Indian fine dining scene in New York. Part of the Unapologetic Foods group led by Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar, Semma is unapologetically rooted in South Indian heritage, serving dishes rarely seen outside Tamil homes. From fiery nathai pirattal (snail curry) to eral thokku (spicy prawns) and foxtail millet khichdi, the food is bold, soulful, and deeply personal — served in clay pots and on banana leaves, often without cutlery.

Dressed in a traditional Veshti while accepting the award, Kumar shared an emotional moment:

“When I started cooking, I never thought a kid like me from Tamil Nadu could make it to a room like this. But the food I grew up with — food made with care and fire, with soul — is now taking the main stage. There’s no such thing as poor people’s food or rich people’s food. If it’s true, it’s powerful.”

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Semma has consistently earned accolades since its opening in 2021. It holds a Michelin star for three years running and was crowned No. 1 on The New York Times’ 100 Best Restaurants list — a rare feat for an Indian restaurant. But for Kumar, this moment is about more than stars and rankings. It’s about representation, roots, and reclaiming pride in food once hidden in shame.

Growing up in Arasampatti, a village surrounded by paddy fields and coconut trees, Kumar recalls how dishes like snail curry were once considered farmer’s food — something to be kept from classmates. It wasn’t until culinary school that he saw escargot on a fine-dining menu and realized: “Maybe the world just hadn’t tasted our food yet.”

Originally dreaming of becoming an engineer, financial limitations led Kumar to pursue catering college — a twist of fate that launched a career celebrating the food of his ancestors. Today, with a James Beard medal and a mission that resonates from New York to Tamil Nadu, Chef Vijay Kumar has not only redefined fine dining but also carved a powerful space for heritage cuisine in global gastronomy.

Semma is no longer just a restaurant — it’s a revolution in flavour, identity, and cultural pride.


Baskin Robbins India and The Smurfs Team Up for a Scoop of Fun

Baskin Robbins India and The Smurfs Team Up for a Scoop of Fun

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 20, 2025

Baskin Robbins India is adding a playful twist to your ice cream outings by teaming up with the much-loved Smurfs movie franchise. This cheerful collaboration brings together the joy of scoops and the charm of everyone’s favourite blue characters—creating a fun and flavourful adventure for kids and families across the country.

Inspired by the adventurous world of The Smurfs, Baskin Robbins has introduced a lively new flavour called Splish Splash. This vibrant blue scoop captures the energy and mischief of the Smurfs, blending colour and taste into one joyful bite.

But the excitement doesn’t stop at the counter. Speaking about the partnership, Aleesha Desai, General Manager (Marketing) – Baskin Robbins India, shared,

“At Baskin Robbins, our mission is to spread smiles over a scoop of happiness. Collaborating with the beloved Smurfs helps us do that in a playful way.”

The celebration extends beyond flavours, Baskin Robbins is lighting up its parlours with Smurfs-themed in-store activations, engaging games, and social media contests. The brand has even gone full blue on its Instagram feed, making fans a part of the blue wave.

To bring the magic closer to fans, special product activations will take place at movie screenings, with influencers and content creators joining in for Smurfs-themed celebrations. Lucky fans will also get the chance to win limited-edition Smurfs goodies, turning every visit into a memorable moment.

With this colourful collaboration, Baskin Robbins once again proves that it’s more than just an ice cream brand, it’s a creator of joyful memories. While the love for ice cream spans all ages, this Smurfs-inspired tie-up is sure to leave kids smiling from ear to ear and parents reaching for another scoop.


Indonesian Culinary Magic Lands in Andhra Pradesh with Novotel’s Southeast Asian Food Festival

Indonesian Culinary Magic Lands in Andhra Pradesh with Novotel’s Southeast Asian Food Festival

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 19, 2025

This monsoon, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach and Novotel Vijayawada Varun are spicing things up with a vibrant Indonesian food festival, helmed by celebrated guest chef Faisal Martadinata. Flying in from Indonesia, Chef Faisal is set to serve up bold and authentic Southeast Asian flavours that promise a sensory culinary journey.

Hosted at Red Bowl, the signature Pan-Asian restaurant at both Novotel properties, the festival runs from 18th to 27th July in Visakhapatnam, and from 28th July to 4th August in Vijayawada. Diners can enjoy lunch and dinner from an à la carte menu specially curated by the chef.

Chef Faisal Martadinata, who brings a deep passion for traditional Indonesian cuisine, has honed his craft in top kitchens across Bali and Jakarta. Known for modern takes on heritage recipes, his menu features crowd-favourites like Beef Rendang, Soto Ayam, Nasi Goreng, and the much-loved dessert Dadar Gulung—each dish offering a taste of Indonesia’s soulful culinary identity.

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Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, says,

“At Novotel, our restaurants are cultural spaces where flavours from across the world come alive. With Chef Faisal’s exclusive residency, we offer our guests a rare opportunity to experience authentic Indonesian cuisine, freshly prepared by a master chef who brings the true essence of his homeland to the plate.”

Manish Pathak, Hotel Manager at Novotel Vijayawada Varun, echoes this sentiment, adding,

“This festival is about more than food—it’s a cultural experience. Chef Faisal’s specially crafted menu mirrors our vision of thoughtful, experience-led dining and promises an exciting journey through Indonesia’s most loved dishes.”

With a global approach to hospitality and a deep love for culinary storytelling, Novotel continues to delight food lovers by bringing the world to the table—one dish at a time.


Mumbai’s Must-Try Ice Cream Spots to Celebrate World Ice Cream Day

Mumbai’s Must-Try Ice Cream Spots to Celebrate World Ice Cream Day

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 19, 2025

There’s something magical about ice cream, whether it’s a shared sundae on a hot day or a quick cone at your favourite neighbourhood parlour. This World Ice Cream Day, Mumbai’s cafes and dessert bars are going all out to serve up frozen treats that are anything but ordinary. Here’s a curated list of sweet spots where every scoop is worth the indulgence.

The BlueBop Cafe – Gelato Menu

The BlueBop Cafe sets the tone with a gelato menu that’s smooth, flavourful, and perfect for the season. Their French Vanilla Gelato is a timeless scoop made with premium vanilla beans, while Hazelnut Praline combines creamy richness with bursts of nutty crunch. Chocolate lovers will find bliss in the Belgian Chocolate Gelato, and those looking for a healthier option can dig into the Sugar-Free Vegan Chocolate Gelato, made with soya milk, raw cocoa, and dark chocolate. But the real game-changer? Nutella Sea Salt Gelato, a bold blend of creamy Nutella and a touch of sea salt. With each bite, The BlueBop Cafe promises a celebration of flavours for this special day.

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Red Box – Ice Cream Lineup

Red Box brings its signature flair to World Ice Cream Day with a lineup that’s bold, playful, and full of surprises. Their Tahitian Vanilla is all about smooth, classic comfort, while the Premium Range adds fruity fun with Wimbledon Strawberry and the tropical goodness of Real Guava. The Luxe Range turns up the indulgence with Alphonso Mango, Sea Salt Caramel Fudge, and Crispy Coffee. Chocolate fans can rejoice with Madagascar Chocolate and Chocolate To Die For, while the Sugar-Free Belgian Chocolate proves that guilt-free can still be luxurious. Don’t miss pairing your scoop with their Waffle Brownie—warm, fudgy, and the perfect companion to every cold bite.

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Whether you're team chocolate, fruit-forward, or vegan-friendly, Mumbai is scooping up joy in every flavour this World Ice Cream Day.

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