Anita Jaisinghani, Indika, Pondicheri
Anita Jaisinghani, of North Indian Sindhi descent, was born and raised in Gujarat, India, migrated to Canada in 1982 with an undergraduate degree in Microbiology and worked towards her Masters in Edmonton, Canada.
She moved to the US in 1990, pursued her long time passion for food by first running a small catering business along with a partner. Later on, they manufactured fresh chutneys (NJOY Inc 'Flavors' brand Chutneys) and provided them to local businesses (Rice Epicurian, Leibmans, Whole Foods Markets in Houston and Austin). Ann Criswell, the food Editor of the Houston Chronicle, featured them in the cover of the food section of the Chronicle in July 1995.
After spending a couple of semesters studying at the University of Houston Hilton College of Hotel Management, Anita, wanting some real life experience in the restaurant business, went to work for the much renowned CafeAnnie. She worked there from 1997 to 1999 in the pastry division, and while she was honing her pastry skills, also learned and absorbed the essential elements of running a fine restaurant.
Anita opened Indika in July 2001 in a tiny suburban location in southwest Houston and has garnered rave reviews almost since opening day and continues to do. She has been featured in many prestigious publications such as the wall street journal, usa today and time magazine. Indika expanded and moved to the urban Montrose district in april of 2006.
"Fearless critic" by robin Goldstein December 2007
Houston's second best over all restaurant
Robb walsh of the Houston press in 2007:
Is Indika the best Indian food in the united states?
Houston Press 2007 through 2002:
Best Indian Restaurant in Houston
Zagat 2008 through 2004:
Top Ten restaurants in Houston
Gourmet 2003:
Favorite 100 restaurants in the world
New York Times September 2003:
The Sophisticated Traveler Magazine - Top Five Restaurants in Houston
Bon Appetit February 2002:
America's Best New Restaurant 2001
Gourmet 2002:
Top 100 restaurants in the United States
2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost
Chefs Advisory Board
Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.
These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Drop Paris an email and get started today!
The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.