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.


Hyatt Regency Delhi Introduces Immersive Whiskey & Sake Pairing Experience at TK’s Oriental Grill

Hyatt Regency Delhi Introduces Immersive Whiskey & Sake Pairing Experience at TK’s Oriental Grill

By Hariharan U

Published on January 19, 2026

Hyatt Regency Delhi has announced an exclusive, limited-time Whiskey & Sake Pairing Pop-Up at its award-winning TK’s Oriental Grill, offering diners a refined experiential journey where live Teppanyaki artistry meets premium Japanese spirits.

Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Kokoro, cooking with heart the experience brings together TK’s signature “Theatre of Fire” with the craftsmanship of Nikka Whisky and Nanbu Bijin Sake. Moving beyond traditional wine pairings, the pop-up highlights how the smoky complexity of Japanese whisky and the clean, floral character of sake can elevate authentic Far-Eastern flavours.

The pairing menu has been thoughtfully curated by the culinary team at TK’s Oriental Grill in collaboration with expert spirit ambassadors. Each course is designed to achieve balance across temperature, texture, and taste, allowing food and spirits to complement each other seamlessly rather than compete.

Guests can expect live Teppanyaki performances across seven hot grills, accompanied by a curated flight of Nikka Whisky and Nanbu Bijin Sake expressions. The experience unfolds within TK’s distinctive interiors, marked by bamboo accents and sculptural dented copper hoods, creating a setting that is as theatrical as it is intimate.

The menu takes diners through a layered flavour journey, beginning with fresh and zesty nigiri such as Hamachi and Sake paired with crisp Nanbu Bijin Sake. It then progresses to bold Teppanyaki signatures including Shredded Lamb with spicy gochujang and Tenderloin Steak with yakiniku sauce, crafted to match the peaty depth and warmth of Nikka Whisky. The experience concludes with desserts such as a Flambéed Chocolate Tart, best enjoyed with a final warming sip of whisky.

To enhance engagement, trained team members guide guests through tasting notes, share the heritage of each spirit, and explain the rationale behind every pairing, making the experience accessible to both seasoned connoisseurs and first-time explorers of Japanese spirits.

Set within an intimate, flame-lit setting, the Whiskey & Sake Pairing Pop-Up at TK’s Oriental Grill celebrates fire, flavour, and finesse, positioning Hyatt Regency Delhi as a leading destination for immersive dining experiences in the capital.


NCR’s Most Exciting Restaurants to Watch Right Now

NCR’s Most Exciting Restaurants to Watch Right Now

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 19, 2026

As NCR’s food and beverage scene continues to evolve, restaurants are moving beyond just serving food, they’re creating experiences. From story-led concepts and global cafés to modern Indian kitchens rooted in regional flavors, operators are focusing on immersive dining, scalable formats, and strong brand identities. Here are five restaurants that exemplify this trend.

Albert Pinto, Noida

A cinematic, story-led dining destination, Albert Pinto brings Goan–Portuguese inspiration to life through design, music, service, and menu storytelling. The restaurant offers modern Indian interpretations, seafood-forward dishes, and globally inspired comfort plates, making it ideal for social dining or an experiential evening.

imageLocation: 3rd Floor, Ithum Galleria Mall, Sector Alpha II, Greater Noida

Anardana, Vasant Kunj, Delhi

Anardana’s Ambience Mall outlet blends traditional Indian design with modern elegance. Its curated menu and immersive interiors make it perfect for family meals, celebrations, and social dining in South Delhi.

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Location: Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

Laidback Cafe, Dwarka

Located at Vegas Mall, Laidback Cafe caters to all-day dining with a casual, comfortable setup. Its menu spans Asian, Continental, Italian, Middle Eastern, and North Indian cuisines, paired with desserts and beverages, making it a repeat-visit destination in West Delhi.

imageLocation: 5th Floor, Vegas Mall, Sector 14, Dwarka, New Delhi

Thamel, AIPL Joy Central, Gurugram

Inspired by Kathmandu’s café culture, Thamel blends Nepalese flavors with global café offerings. With warm interiors and a relaxed setting, it targets urban professionals and social diners seeking international tastes in Gurugram.

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Location: AIPL Joy Central, Sector 65, Gurugram

Osteria, Noida

A casual Italian restaurant, Osteria focuses on wood-fired pizzas, handcrafted pastas, and classic Italian dishes made with quality ingredients. Its mall-centric location makes it approachable for everyday dining or special occasions, highlighting the continued appeal of European cuisine in NCR.

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Location: 4th Floor, Spectrum Metro Mall, Sector 75, Noida

Together, these restaurants reflect key trends in NCR’s F&B sector: experience-led dining, globally inspired concepts, versatile menus, and strategic placement in mixed-use spaces. In a competitive market, storytelling, clarity of concept, and adaptability remain essential for building sustainable dining brands.


Javaphile Cafe Opens Flagship Outlet in Worli, Mumbai

Javaphile Cafe Opens Flagship Outlet in Worli, Mumbai

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 16, 2026

Javaphile Cafe has marked a new milestone with the launch of its flagship outlet in Worli, Mumbai, expanding into one of the city’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. The new location reflects the brand’s thoughtful approach to growth, entering an area known for its early mornings, long workdays and appreciation for quality coffee breaks.

Designed to balance comfort with understated elegance, the Worli outlet carries Javaphile’s signature warmth through cozy, unfussy interiors and welcoming spaces. The café is suited for a range of occasions, from quick solo visits and informal meetings to relaxed brunches and extended work sessions that carry through the day.

Founder Suren Joshi said the Worli opening felt like a natural progression for the brand. He shared that Javaphile has always focused on creating spaces where people can slow down, even briefly, over a cup of coffee. According to him, Worli is a neighbourhood that values quality, routine and good food, making it an ideal fit for the brand’s philosophy of familiarity and dependability.

Coffee craftsmanship remains central to the Javaphile experience at the new outlet. The café serves its full range of beverages, including classic espressos, cappuccinos and flat whites, along with its signature brews. The food menu has been curated to complement the coffee while also standing strong on its own, catering to guests throughout the day.

Blending seamlessly into its surroundings, the Worli café aims to feel familiar from the very first visit. With friendly service and an approachable yet premium menu, the space offers a refined experience without formality, positioning itself as an everyday luxury within the neighbourhood’s daily routine.

With the launch of its Worli flagship, Javaphile Cafe continues to strengthen its footprint across Mumbai, staying true to its core values of good coffee, honest food and inviting spaces, while becoming an integral part of the city’s evolving café culture.

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