Srijith Gopinathan

-

Bringing some hometown flavor to San Francisco, Indian chef Srijith Gopinathan has earned two Michelin stars and is now the executive chef at Taj Campton Place. Though Gopinathan's favorite part about his career as a chef is having the ability to create and be independent, he continues to lead his team to create deliciously fresh Californian cuisine mixed with an Indian flair. If chef Gopinathan isn't creating some of the most finely curated dishes in California, you may find him at the Farmers Market in the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero getting fresh food for his dishes, running through Golden Gate Park with his son, or simply watering his plants and trees.

Q&A:

Hometown?

State of Kerala, South of India.

Place you call home now (neighborhood etc):

San Francisco.

Any notes on your education?

Bachelors in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts from The University of Bangalore.

Favorite sport to watch?

Cricket.

Favorite sport to play?

Badminton.

Best vacation ever?

Dubai in 2015.

Dream trip destination? Why?

Swiss Alps. Growing up in precisely opposite terrain, I was always curious to know, learn and experience life in Switzerland – I also love the snow.

Favorite dinner?

Delposto NYC in 2016 – one of many memorable dinners for sure.

Favorite dessert?

A corn dessert by Pastry Chef Juan Contreras at Atelier Crenn, San Francisco.

Underrated food?

Banana flower.

Dish you’re best at cooking?

Shellfish (crustaceans).

Best meal you’ve had at a restaurant?

Recently, at HIDE London.

Road trip - three in the car with you. Living or dead. Who are they? Why?

If it’s not my son Arnav and wife, whom I don’t get enough time with, I would do: Stephan Colbert as I have love for comedy; Douglas Brinkley, I enjoy listening to American presidential History and Harold McGee – a man who has the best answers to every question related to cooking and can endlessly discuss on food.

Favorite TV show as a kid?

"Yan can cook"

Favorite movies?

The Piano and Titanic.

Favorite actress and or actor?

Mohan Lal (south Indian actor) and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Car you drive now?

Lexus.

Car you’d like to drive. Why?

A Tesla because of its newest technologies and of course, emission free and environment friendly.

Best car you’ve owned?

Lexus.

Got a dream watch?

Tissot Gentleman Automatic – love that it has an old-fashioned look!

Summer drink of choice?

Tender coconut juice.

Winter drink of choice?

Ginger Chai.

Bourbon or scotch?

Scotch.

Vodka or gin?

Vodka

Cologne?

Ralph Lauren – Blue EDP.

Go-to red on a wine list?

La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir, Napa.

Go-to white?

Wente Rava Ranch Chardonnay, CA.

Favorite beach?

Baker Beach, San Francisco.

Best work advice you ever got?

"When it comes to business, use more of your brain and less of your heart.”

Best thing about your career?

Independence to think and create.

Got any philosophies to live by?

“Humility is key at a professional and personal level”.

Do you have any philanthropic interests/endeavors?

Regular contributor to UNICEF.