Ranji Smile: The Mysterious Chef Who Introduced Indian Cuisine to America
Summary
Ranjit Smile, a mysterious Indian chef, is credited with opening what was likely the first Indian restaurant in America in 1901, before his restaurant Omar Khayyam closed within a year. His brief but colorful career helped introduce Indian flavors to New York and laid early groundwork for the spread of Indian cuisine in the United States.
Key Points
- Ranjit Smile arrived in New York in 1899 and worked at Serjee's restaurant, where his curry dishes and theatrical service made him a sensation.
- In 1901, he opened Omar Khayyam on Fifth Avenue with backing from financier Roland R. Conklin, but the restaurant failed and shut down within a year.
- Smile later became entangled in legal troubles, false claims of princely identity, and other scandals before disappearing from public life.
- Despite his controversial life, his work helped popularize Indian food in America and inspired later Indian culinary ventures.
