In an historic and emotionally charged moment for Indian cuisine, Chef Vijay Kumar of the Michelin-starred restaurant Semma has been named the Best Chef: New York State at the prestigious 2025 James Beard Awards, often called the “Oscars of the food world.”
The chef, originally from the Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, was honoured for his bold and uncompromising spotlight on the micro-regional, village-style cuisine of Southern India. This is his first nomination and first win.
In a powerful and now viral acceptance speech, Chef Kumar reflected on his journey from rural India to the pinnacle of New York’s culinary scene, saying:
“When I started cooking, I never thought a dark-skinned boy from Tamil Nadu could make it to a room like this. But the food I grew up on—food made with care, with fire, with soul—is now taking the main stage.”
Chef Kumar’s restaurant, Semma, has earned widespread acclaim for its authentic and often rustic dishes, such as Nathai Pirattal (spicy snail curry) and Dindigul Biryani, which are drawn directly from his childhood memories of cooking with his grandmother in villages near Madurai. The restaurant famously refuses to dilute spice levels or simplify ingredients for Western palates, a core philosophy that has resonated deeply with diners and critics alike.
“There’s no such thing as a poor person’s food or rich person’s food. It’s food. It’s powerful,” he stated. “And the real luxury is to be able to connect with each other around the dinner table. Tonight, Indian cuisine stands tall, Tamil food stands tall, and my own food and heritage stand tall, and it all matters. I stand here for everyone who never thought their story belonged to be on a stage like this.”
The James Beard Award, which celebrates excellence across the American culinary landscape, solidifies Chef Kumar’s status as a transformative figure. His victory proves that authenticity and heritage—even from the most humble of origins—can achieve the highest levels of global recognition. Semma also holds a Michelin star and was recently ranked the #1 restaurant in New York City by The New York Times.
