Suvir Saran of New York’s Devi
By kamla bhatt • Nov 15th, 2006Category: Books and Authors, Diaspora, India, New Delhi, New York, People
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Devi of New York recently became the first Indian restaurant in the USA to win a Michelin star. Suvir Saran, the co-executive chef of Devi talks about his passion for food, Devi and Delhi.
In this interview Suvir talks about his passion for Indian food and how for over 10 years he has worked tirelessly to change the common perception of what constitutes Indian food in New York and the USA.
In his mission to promote good home-cooked Indian food Suvir teamed up with Hemant Mathur. About two years ago the two teamed up as executive chefs and offered authentic home cooking from the diverse regions of India at Devi in Manhattan.
Suvir is also the author of Indian Home Cooking, and is in the process of writing his second book: American Masala .
Kamla Bhatt is the host and producer of an Internet Radio show where listeners can find stories about the new and emerging India and the global Indian community. As a pioneer of 'internet radio' format in India Kamla started her first show News about India, followed by TalkNewsIndia in 2005. In 2006 she premiered her new show: The Kamla Bhatt Show: Life, People and Ideas. 
Though I used to be a good friend of Suvir years ago (not anymore) I just heard this interview and I am shocked Kamla, that a person of your caliber can take this. The way he abuses every single Indian restaurant, its a shame. I have never come across a more negative, fake, and full of himself person. Everything is a lie what he says and does. He started 10 new topics on eGullet to give bad reviews to Tamarind restaurant. When I used to see that, I could not keep our friendship. One should learn to rise, to be on top, not by pulling people down. How can he call all Indian restaurants are just filth, dirt, no idea about food, blah blah blah. He is truly one of the most hated person in the Indian food industry. And why would he keep saying that he does not care about reviews etc……Please read Frank Brunis blog on devi and tell me if he not review person.
My only problem with him was that he would criticize every person that they do not know how to cook and he is the Messiah of Indian culinary world…….We are so so sos so so happy that devi closed and that is what happens when you are only concerned about reviews and nothing about staff, owners, co-workers (I mean Hemant and Surbhi)
I am sorry to say that this was the most UN-inspiring Interview on your website.
Aloha
Shiv
I was at devi and wanted to search more on the restaurant & came accross this interview. I must admit that its the worst indian place in NY. I was really depressed by the racist service and more than that this interview has depressed me. This man is the most insulting person to the community. The staff was complaining about him too that he is so dishonest and the most condescending person for his community. How many times he insults other Indian restaurants in this interview? He must manage his own business first
Trust me Devi is really a bad place. I am compelled to write this review as I am very frustrated by the legendary chef Suvir’s management. Its very surprising that a cookbook teacher can claim to be a restaurant chef. We had a reservation at 7.00pm on Saturday and no one would seat us saying that we were late. Anyway they seated us after giving us so much attitude as if the place is going to be packed in seconds. There were just 3 more tables that came after us, until 9.45 (we left). The hostess gave us the worst table, near the kitchen in some corner while most of the place was empty. The place is a mess, the waiter dressed us as a prisoner would disappear every 2 minutes. My family was so angry with me for choosing this place for dinner. I am sure that this pseudo chef gets some sense to how to treat his customers before he criticizes other Indian places. By the way, the food is not better than most of the 6th Street places. I was so pissed off that I promised not to recommend this place to anyone.
I reall don’t understand how Suvir can call himself a chef.Has any one bothered to chech his credentials.He has no formal training,never went to a culinary school,never worked as chef anywhere.The only experience he can show is with the restaurants he is associated.He has been hanging on to Hemant Mathur’s coat tails who actually does the cooking.Just by writing a book you become a cook book writer not a chef.
There were decent indian restaurants existing much before he was in the news.He should try and introspect and put his house in order.Devi was closed for months and since it reopened it is all downhill.