At the 2025 James Beard Awards in Chicago on June 16, Unapologetic Foods—a restaurant group founded by Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya that includes Michelin‑starred Semma—emerged as a powerful symbol of shifting culinary recognition as Mazumdar noted the awards are “moving in a very unique direction” away from past Eurocentric norms. In particular, Semma’s executive chef, Vijay Kumar—hailing from Tamil Nadu—was honored as Best Chef: New York State, marking his first Beard win. Kumar dedicated the award to South Indian cuisine’s elevation, sharing that food from his upbringing—“made with care and fire, with soul”—is now “taking the main stage.” The win marks a milestone not just for Kumar personally, but for representation of Indian food in New York’s—and America’s—fine‑dining landscape.