American Gymkhana's 5-Course Pairing Dinner with Cress Chef Hari Pulapaka and Executive Chef Aarthi Sampath
- First seating: 6:30 p.m.
- Second seating: 8:30 p.m.
The evening serves up a unique dynamic, where two chefs – male and female—celebrate their Indian culture through five courses crafted using Central Florida ingredients juxtaposed with the Indian spices cabinet.
ABOUT CHEF HARI PULAPAKA: Chef Hari Pulapaka, is a native of Mumbai, India and is the executive chef and co-owner of the highly acclaimed Cress Restaurant in DeLand, Fla. A champion of local and sustainable ingredients, Pulapaka participated in the James Beard House’s first Chefs Bootcamp Policy and Change. He’s also a four-time James Beard semifinalist and a two-time nominee for Food & Wine Magazine’s The People’s Best New Chef.
Adding to the mix, award-winning mixologists Hemant Pathak and Jenneffer Pulapaka, will create wine and cocktail pairings at the Hunter’s Cocktail Lounge. Pathak, a celebrated mixologist from India, has been recognized across the globe at events, such as the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition and the Diageo World Class Global Competition. At the Diageo competition, he won first place in the 'Classic Cocktail with a Twist' challenge by triumphing more than 30 of the world’s top mixologists.
Guests can choose from two pricing options. Get tickets here.
- $110: five-course tasting menu, wine or cocktail pairings, and the mini cocktail hour
- $75: five-course tasting menu and the mini cocktail hour (no wine or cocktail pairings)
ABOUT AARTHI SAMPATH: Chef Aarthi Sampath is a native of Mumbai, India who journeyed to New York City after five years with the prestigious Taj Group in India. She was afforded an internship at Junoon, the highly acclaimed, four-time Michelin-starred restaurant. Sampath worked under the tutelage of ChefVikas Khanna, who she credits as having influenced her vision to include that “modern element” to her dishes. In 2014, Chef Aarthi accepted the offer to helm the kitchen at American Gymkhana, sister restaurant of Junoon.
ABOUT CHEF HARI PULAPAKA: Chef Hari Pulapaka, is a native of Mumbai, India and is the executive chef and co-owner of the highly acclaimed Cress Restaurant in DeLand, Fla. A champion of local and sustainable ingredients, Pulapaka participated in the James Beard House’s first Chefs Bootcamp Policy and Change. He’s also a four-time James Beard semifinalist and a two-time nominee for Food & Wine Magazine’s The People’s Best New Chef.