Semma has held a Michelin star every year since 2022 (2022–2024). About Vijay Kumar. The Semma chef comes from Tamil Nadu, where he learned the basics of preparing South Indian delicacies.

At Semma, he said, “we are completely focusing on true southern Indian food, exactly how we grew up eating it back home.” Not having visited the Kumars’ rice paddy, I can’t vouch for that.

Here we talk about his pivot from engineering school to cooking school, his favorite dish to make from Semma’s menu, his dream day-off breakfast, and his most-loved food (it’s rice). Age: 40 ...