ABOUT VANDANA NAIK, CHEF & OWNER
Maybe it was a consequence of being a 60s child born in the same year as Gordon Ramsay, or maybe it is almost two decades of experience in the capital city of the world, New York, but Vandana's personality is like a bungee jump - precariously exciting, but at the same time firmly grounded. Her food, then, is no different. You can dive into completely unfamiliar territory, but rest assured that soulful, perfectly balanced flavours will instantly make it comfort food even if its the first time you've ever had it in your life. Her plethora of degrees (Associate in Culinary Arts at CIA in New York, HAFT at Sophia College in Mumbai, and Diploma in Home Science at Nirmala Niketan in Mumbai) may establish her credentials on paper, but it is the overwhelming response she gets for her food that is the true mark of her popularity as a Chef. The queen of soul, Aretha Franklin, called Vandana's desserts "the best she's ever had in her life". Vandana's appreciative clients also include the Dalai Lama, George Clooney, Anna Wintour, George & Laura Bush and many more. Her cakes have been ordered by Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Ben Kingsley. But even more famous than her clients, are Vandana's unassuming charm and hospitality. Having made the Tea Cafe brand a runaway success in Goa in a short time, Vandana has now moved on to open her first restaurant, Bodega.