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My name is Jai and together with my wife Vicky, we own and operate Curry Leaves Bistro.

I am not a professional cook. Everything I know about cooking is learnt from my mother, my grandmother, aunts, friends and believe me from my friends’ mothers! Growing up in Penang exposed me to plethora of food – ranging from home cook meals, the never ending choices of street food and food for every cultural and religious occasions.

I love the art of cooking, learning about food and the entire process of mastering age-old recipes using creativity and innovation, especially when certain key ingredients are not always easily available here in the US. To me, food tells a story about who we are, where we come from; how we live, what we believe; and who we will become. So powerful that the story behind the food evokes the memory and nostalgia, which in turn enhances the flavor.

It is truly an awesome feeling when I know I have given a traditional dish the justice it deserves in terms of taste, sight and smell; especially when you have to make the best of what you have on hand.

“One of the great gifts that you can give people is to cook for them”
Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa, American Chef & Author