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Chef K.N. Vinod
Home
My Book
About
Bio
Culinary Tours
Gallery
Videos
Masala Grilled Scallops
Papri Chaat
Cilantro - mint chutney
Tamarind Chutney
Seasonal Citrus Salad with Cilantro
Grand Marnier Soufflé
Achari Chicken Tacos
My Restaurants
Contact
Home
My Book
About
Bio
Culinary Tours
Gallery
Videos
Folder: Recipes
Back
Masala Grilled Scallops
Papri Chaat
Cilantro - mint chutney
Tamarind Chutney
Seasonal Citrus Salad with Cilantro
Grand Marnier Soufflé
Achari Chicken Tacos
My Restaurants
Contact
A logo with the text 'Proud Member of World Central Kitchen CHEF CORPS' in blue, with a magnifying glass over a map of the world, indicating a focus on global culinary support.
Chef K.N.Vinod , Culinary Consultant , writer , Traveler, Content Creator
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Group of chefs and staff in professional attire waving and smiling in a kitchen or dining area, with food and beverages on tables behind them.
Three men are talking and smiling outside a modern building with glass windows, on a sunny day. One man has a beard and glasses hanging from his shirt collar, another has a dark suit and glasses, and the third has a mustache and is dressed in a blue
Three men standing together indoors, posing for a photo. The man on the left has dark hair, glasses, and a mustache, wearing a blue shirt and dark blazer. The man in the middle is bald with a white beard, wearing a dark sweater over a light-colored s
Chef Vinod, former Board of Director at the DC Central Kitchen at the Capital Food Fight
Two men standing in front of a wooden door inside the White House, with the Presidential Seal above them, and flags of the United States on either side.
A chef with glasses and a mustache wearing a white coat, striped apron, and red and white checkered towel, working at a cooking demonstration station with a large camera recording him, in front of a banner for a culinary masterclass event from August
Chefs in white uniforms cooking at a culinary event, with a smoky cooking station and a large background poster showing grapes, a glass of red wine, and food dishes.
Group of five people on stage at the India International Hospitality Expo, with a backdrop displaying the event logo and text.
Group of five men taking a selfie at a d.c. central kitchen event, standing in front of a backdrop with the organization's logo. The man on the left is wearing a black suit and glasses, holding a smartphone, while others are looking at the camera.
A woman singing into a microphone while a man holds a piece of paper with 'K. N. Vinod' written on it, at an event with people in the background.
Two men standing outdoors at a market, pointing at each other. One man is wearing a white chef's coat and glasses, the other is in a gray t-shirt with 'Aspen Farmers Market Live Fresh' printed on it. Orange and white tents are visible in the backgrou
Two men are having a conversation on the Food Network's show 'Live From the Food Carpet.' One man has dark hair, a mustache, and is wearing a purple shirt. The other man, seen from behind, has light brown hair and is wearing a checkered shirt. The ba
Three men standing in a kitchen or food preparation area with shelves of ingredients and kitchen tools in the background, part of a food-related television show.
A man in a red shirt standing behind a kitchen counter with arms raised, surrounded by shelves with kitchen supplies and ingredients, in a kitchen set with indoor lighting and equipment.
Two men in a grocery store or market with shelves of fresh vegetables. One man is wearing a maroon shirt, and the other is wearing a checkered shirt and an apron. They appear to be discussing or demonstrating something.
A woman in a denim jacket is demonstrating a kitchen tool or ingredient, while a man in a pink shirt appears to be explaining or interacting with her. There is a group of people watching from behind, on a second level. The kitchen has a brick wall wi
Varli food festival with TV host/Chef Padma Lakshmi  (Copy)
A chef and a man in casual clothing engaging in conversation at an outdoor event, with tents and people in the background.
Chef in white coat and sunglasses holding food, man in black vest cooking on portable stove, outdoor event with tents and onlookers.
Group of five men in an office, two wearing RASA T-shirts, smiling and posing for a photo.
At the Varli awards with Surfy Rahman & Chef Sanjeev Kapoor - NY (Copy)
Co-judging at the Varli Cookoff in NY with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor (Copy)
A man with a mustache holding a microphone labeled 'TV ASIA' and sitting at a table with a glass of red wine, a water glass, and a small bottle, while a woman in a red attire is in the background.
At the residence of Chef Jose Andres along with Chef Art Smith (Copy)
Chatting with Ms.Susan Ungaro, President of the James Beard Foundation in NY (Copy)
With Chefs Eric Ripert and Sanjeev Kapoor at the Le Bernardin in NY (Copy)
At the White house 2014 (Copy)
With Chef Alice Waters  (Copy)
With Phyllis C Richman, the former food critic of the Washington Post (Copy)
Culinary tour to India - Kumaragam, Kerala, India (Copy)
At the White house kitchen garden with Chef Bill Yosses (Copy)
With Chef/Restaurateur/Activist Jose Andres (Copy)
At the White House with Chef Bill Yosses and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor (Copy)
With Nathalie Nupree at the Sunday Night Suppers 2014 (Copy)
Leading a culinary tour to India, Mysore, India 2013 (Copy)
With Chef Floyd Cardoz at Indique, Washington DC (Copy)
with Chef Vicky Ratnani, India (Copy)
with Chef Vikram Vij from Vancouver, Canada at the Varli Festival (Copy)
Receiving the best restaurant award at the Varli Festival along with Surfy Rahman (Copy)
Culinary tour to India - The Taj West End Bangalore, India (Copy)
Culinary tour to India, Mysore 2013 (Copy)
At the Ritz Carlton, Singapore with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Surfy Rahman & Sharmishta Mukherjee (first daughter of India) (Copy)
On the streets of Bangkok, Thailand (Copy)
culinary tour to India - Alleppey, Kerala, India (Copy)
Culinary tour, Kochi, Kerala, India  (Copy)
Asia TV - co-judge along with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor (Copy)
At channel 9, Washington DC (Copy)
With Anthony Bourdain (Copy)
Co-judging at the Varli Cookoff - TV Asia along with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor (Copy)
At the Saveur magazine's annual Barbecue cookoff in NY along with Surfy Rahman (Copy)
With Chef Sanjeev Kapoor on the TV Asia (Copy)
Teaching a cooking class at the Montgomery College, MD (Copy)
Cooking Demo at the National Mall - Smithsonian Institution  (Copy)
Cooking classes at Indique Heights, Chevy Chase, MD (Copy)
cooking demo on the streets of Mysore, India - Culinary tours (Copy)
Teaching at the DCCK ( DC Central Kitchen)  (Copy)
Teaching on Heritage day at the DCCK (Copy)
Les Dames des Escoffier group at Indique Heights (Copy)
Along with fellow chefs from India, England and the US (Copy)
At the book launch party of Chef Sanjeev Kapoor at Indique Heights (Copy)
At the White House with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor (Copy)
At the White House  (Copy)
Cooking demo and lecture on India cuisine to USPCA - United States Personal Chef Association (Copy)
Cooking demo and lecture - USPCA, Washington DC (Copy)
At the White house on a snowy day 2012 (Copy)
Sunday Night Suppers 2013  (Copy)
With Chef/TV Co-host Carla Hall  (Copy)
On the streets of Mysore, India (Copy)
With Chef Jose Andres and Sanjeev Kapoor at Indique Heights (Copy)
Mysore, India - Culinary tours to India (Copy)
Turmeric Plant, Kerala, India - Culinary tours to India (Copy)
With Restaurateur Mr. Drew Nierporent (Copy)
With the chefs from the Club des Chefs des Chefs  (Copy)
With Chef Art Smith at Chef Jose Andres's home (Copy)
At Chef Jose Andres's residence with Monica Bhide and Chef Art Smith (Copy)
With Patricia Andres, Monica Bhide and Samir Bhide (Copy)
With Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Chef Jose Andres $ Steve Dolinsky (Copy)
A man wearing a white chef's coat stands behind a kitchen counter with various ingredients and utensils, in front of a backdrop with the FOX 5 NEWS logo.
A woman interviewing a chef holding a microphone, with several people in the background, in an elegant room.
With Executive Chefs Cristeta Comerford & Susan Morrison (Executive Pastry Chef) of the White House at the opening of the White House Fresh Farmers Market (Copy)
Ringing the market bell at the opening of the White House Farmers Market along with Executive Chefs Cristeta Comerford and Susan Morrison (Executive Pastry Chef) of the White House. (Copy)
A man smiling and holding a sign that reads 'Indique' at a crowded indoor event with many people in the background.
At the Varli Food Festival for kids in NJ (Copy)
A man in a white chef's coat and black apron with the VARLI logo is holding a tray and a spray can, smiling as he prepares food at a VARLI Food event. A man in a white suit is speaking into a microphone nearby, and the background features a VARLI ban
With fellow Chefs at the Chefs go Fresh event with the CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts (Copy)
A man with sunglasses on his head, sitting on the grass during daytime, smiling at the camera, with small goats around him in a green field with trees and a blue sky in the background.
With Sheila Johnson Co-founder of BET and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts (Copy)
Two men are conversing at a social event. One is wearing a chef's coat, and the other is holding a glass of red wine, wearing a beige blazer with a purple shirt. There are multiple people in the background, and the setting appears to be a dimly lit i
Television segment on Good Morning Washington featuring four people at a table with a sign that reads 'Madras Pumpkin Soup'. The table has a plate with roasted vegetables and a small pumpkin, with a blue background and the show's logo.
A man with a dark mustache and black hair smiling at the camera, wearing a white chef's coat and red boxing gloves, standing in front of a blurred, brightly lit background.
Poster for an event titled 'Capital Food Fight' held on November 12, 2014, at the Ronald Reagan Building. The poster features a group of four chefs in white uniforms, with one woman wearing red boxing gloves, smiling at the camera.
A chef in a white uniform and glasses is preparing food in a busy kitchen or event space, with a TV screen and other people in the background.
Group of people, including chefs and event speakers, standing together on stage, with some holding Red boxing gloves, at an event or celebration.
A cooking competition stage with three participants, one holding a microphone; two judges or hosts, one showing a checklist. A large screen displays 'K.N. Vinod Indique' with chef's photo and logos for Tyson Foods and Central Kitchen.
A woman holding a microphone standing behind a table with food and ingredients, flanked by two men in culinary uniforms, in front of a backdrop displaying Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
Group of five people standing in a restaurant, with a woman speaking into a microphone on the right, and a large art piece of a pineapple on the wall behind them.
Two men standing together, smiling, with a wall of framed photographs behind them. One is wearing glasses and a black T-shirt with colorful letters, and the other is dressed as a chef in a white chef's coat.
Panel discussion with five individuals sitting on chairs, two of whom are chefs in white coats, behind a black backdrop with banners, water bottles on small tables in front of them, and an audience in front.
A group of five men, dressed in chef uniforms and conference badges, standing together at a professional event. One man holds a trophy that reads 'Special Jury Award.'
Three men posing together at a professional event, one wearing a garage with a name tag, one in a suit, and the third in a chef's coat with 'K. V Vino' embroidered on it, inside a large conference hall with overhead lighting and other attendees in th
Two men in white chef jackets smiling at the camera, at a professional event or gathering.
Chef K.N.Vinod teaching a Master Class in New Delhi at the India International Hotel Expo - India
Two men in business attire having a conversation at a trade event or exhibition.
Four people standing together at an indoor event, three men and one woman, posing for a photo. The man on the far left is wearing a chef's coat and jeans, the second man from the left is in a suit with a lanyard, the third man is in a suit with a vis
Three men standing close together, smiling for the camera at an indoor event. The man on the left is wearing a green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hockey jersey. The man in the middle is wearing a white chef's coat with the name tag 'K.N. Vinood.' The
 late Chef Roger Moncourt and Chef K.N.Vinod at the Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, India
At the DC Central Kitchen event with the founder of the DC Central Kitchen Robert Egger
The late former President of India with Chef K.N.Vinod dining at his restaurant Indique

 

Join the waitlist - Flavors of My Journey

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My mother never wrote a recipe down in her life. Ammachi cooked every meal from memory - from instinct built across generations in Irinjalakuda, Kerala. She was the most gifted cook I have ever known. , and she taught me everything that mattered even after I entered a professional kitchen . The book begins with her.

Flavors of My Journey is a memoir-cookbook — part personal history, part culinary pilgrimage, part tribute to the ingredients and people that shaped forty years of cooking. It traces a journey from a military school in Bangalore to the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi, where I cooked for 42 heads of state at the age of twenty-five. From Washington DC, where my partner Surfy and I launched and ran Bombay Bistro , Indique & Indique Heights, serving the Washington Metropolitan area for over three decades.

And it traces a journey back — across India, through the spice markets of Guntur, the jaggery farms of Erode, the cardamom hills of Munnar, and the coconut groves of Kerala — to understand the ingredients I have cooked with my entire career.

This is the story I have been living for a long time. I am ready to tell it.

Chef K.N.VinodArtboard 6.png

What’s inside


The Memoir

From Kerala to New Delhi to Washington DC — forty years of kitchens, restaurants, and the people who shaped my life.


The Spice Pilgrimage

A journey through India's great spice-growing regions —Pepper Vines from Munnar, Kerala; Turmeric from Erode, Tamilnadu; Chilli yards of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh; Jaggery farms of Erode, Tamilnadu.



Ammachi's Kitchen

The recipes and stories of my mother — the greatest cook I have ever known. Her pickles, chutneys, payasams and her many Kerala specialties.

Ammachi and Vinod in our home kitchen

The Photography

"Photographed across India and Washington DC — the ingredients, the places, the people — seen through a chef's eye."

About the Author


K.N. Vinod was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He studied at a military school in Bangalore and completed his hotel management in Madras before training at the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi. His roots — and his cooking — come from Irinjalakuda, Kerala, where his mother Ammachi's kitchen shaped everything. He moved to Washington DC in 1985, where he co-founded Bombay Bistro, Indique, and Indique Heights with his partner Surfy — restaurants that served Washington DC for over three decades.


He is a James Beard Foundation Chefs Boot Camp alumnus, a World Central Kitchen Chef Corps member, and a Food Network personality known for appearing on Beat Bobby Flay. He is also a photographer, culinary tour leader, and consultant to RASA restaurants. He served six years on the board of DC Central Kitchen, cooking alongside Alice Waters, Joan Nathan, and José Andrés.

Flavors of My Journey is his first book.

Be the first to know.

When Flavors of My Journey is available — where to find it, how to get a signed copy, and what comes next — you will hear it here first. Join the waitlist. No spam. Just one email when the book is ready.

→ Click here to join the waitlist