Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:05pm on 18 Jun 2025,Wednesday India Global
Chef Vijay Kumar, hailing from Tamil Nadu, has won Best Chef: New York State—his first-ever James Beard Award—at the ceremony held on June 16, 2025, in Chicago . Leading Semma, the Michelin‑starred South Indian restaurant, he dedicated the honour to “a dark‑skinned boy from Tamil Nadu,” celebrating the power and inclusivity of heritage cuisine . Semma, opened in 2021 by Unapologetic Foods, is renowned for bold rustic dishes like nathai pirattal and foxtail millet khichdi, reflecting Kumar’s upbringing . His win highlights a landmark moment: Indian cuisine—and Tamil Nadu’s rich culinary traditions—taking centre stage in America’s gastronomic spotlight. (PC: The Hindu)
