Rom growing up in South India amidst the fragrance of pepper, cardamom and turmeric, to earning Michelin stars — six years in a row — chef Srijith Gopinathan has come a long way. The San Francisco-based chef took it up a notch after being awarded two Michelin stars this year in 2016 — Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area and Wine Country, for Campton Place restaurant, located in the Taj Campton Place Hotel. Gopinathan is the only Indian chef in America to receive this honour. Excerpts:

Spicepot, a creation by Gopinathan