Semma’s Chef Vijay Kumar Wins Big At James Beard Awards, The Oscars Of The Food World

In a historic first, Vijay Kumar, executive chef of Semma, has won Best Chef: New York State at the 2024 James Beard Awards, becoming the first Indian restaurant chef to claim the title.

Kumar’s win is more than personal — it’s a breakthrough moment for Indian cuisine on the global fine dining stage. Known as the Oscars of the American food world, the James Beard Awards are among the most coveted culinary honours in the United States. And this year, the spotlight fell on a fiery, soulful brand of South Indian cooking—one rarely seen in such circles.

Semma, the Greenwich Village restaurant helmed by Unapologetic Foods founders Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya, has built its reputation on exactly that: authenticity without compromise. Dishes like nathai pirattal (snails in pepper masala), eral thokku (spicy prawns), and millet-based khichdi arrive in banana leaves and clay pots. Cutlery is optional — tradition is not.

The restaurant has already made headlines. It’s the only Indian establishment in New York City with a Michelin star—an accolade it’s held for three consecutive years. In 2023, The New York Times ranked it No. 1 on its list of 100 Best Restaurants in the city.

Humble Origins, Big Dreams

Monday night’s win was different. Wearing a veshti, Kumar took the stage and delivered a heartfelt speech that resonated beyond the food world. “When I started cooking, I never thought a kid like me from Tamil Nadu could make it to a room like this,” he said. “The food I grew up with — 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.”

Kumar’s story begins far from New York—in Arasampatti, a village near Madurai, surrounded by coconut groves and paddy fields. He once aspired to be an engineer, but when his family couldn’t afford the fees, he pivoted to culinary school. It was a reluctant choice that would eventually shape his identity and elevate the cuisine of his roots.

“For us, snail was a farmer’s food,” Kumar said. “We used to hide it from classmates. But in culinary school, I saw escargot on menus in France. That’s when I realised—maybe the world just hadn’t tasted our food yet.”

Things To Know Before You Visit Semma Restaurant In NYC 

Where is Semma located?

Semma is a Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant in New York City, known for its authentic, bold, and traditional Tamil Nadu-style cuisine.

Address: 60 Greenwich Avenue, West Village, New York, NY 10011

What are Semma’s opening hours, and do you need a reservation?

Semma is open for dinner only, six days a week:

Monday to Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Closed on Sundays

For Semma NYC Reservations:

Reservations are available online and typically open 15 days in advance at 9:00 AM EST. Semma is extremely popular, so bookings tend to fill up quickly.

Tip: For smaller parties (especially two), walk-in seating is sometimes available at the bar on a first-come, first-served basis.

What to order from the Semma NYC menu?

Semma specialises in authentic South Indian food, particularly from Tamil Nadu. Signature dishes include:

• Nathai Pirattal–snails in a spicy, peppery masala
• Eral Thokku–prawns in tangy tomato curry
• Thinai Pongal/Millet Khichdi–a hearty, rustic vegetarian dish
• Dishes are served in clay pots and banana leaves and are meant to be eaten by hand, which is true to tradition.