Discover the Culinary Visionaries Redefining Modern Indian Cuisine in Kansas City

In a city filled with Indian restaurants offering similar dishes, Ameet Malhotra and Swetha Newcomb are bringing fresh ideas to Kansas City’s food scene. These innovative chefs are inspired by their grandmothers’ recipes, adding unique twists to traditional dishes.

Swetha Newcomb of Of Course

Swetha Newcomb runs Of Course, a restaurant in South JoCo. After two years in business, she feels more confident in her approach to Indian fusion cooking. At first, she hesitated to fully embrace her Indian roots. However, she realized that her heritage is a valuable part of her culinary identity. “I had to let my mom help me,” she says, referring to the guidance she received from her mother, who is from Hyderabad, India.

Newcomb, with her private chef background, initially avoided labeling her restaurant as Indian. But as she explored flavors and cooking styles from her childhood, she began incorporating them into her menu. For example, ingredients like ginger and garlic paste form the base of many dishes, while spices such as mustard seed and cumin add depth to her more familiar Midwestern comforts, including grilled ribeyes and Caesar salads.

Her menu focuses on sharing, reflecting the communal dining style she experienced growing up. While eating with hands is common in Indian culture, she offers less messy alternatives that provide a similar experience, like sourdough bread for egg curry toast and tostadas for duck curry.

The design of Of Course mirrors its modern cuisine. With an upscale atmosphere that celebrates Indian colors and textures, the restaurant is also a great spot for a happy hour.

For those new to Indian food, Newcomb recommends trying the burger. “Everyone is going to love the burger,” she says confidently.

Ameet Malhotra of Elephant Wings

Ameet Malhotra started his restaurant, Elephant Wings, as a response to the pandemic. After losing his job at Hallmark in 2020, he began cooking from home and noticed a strong demand for his butter chicken. With support and encouragement, he transformed from a graphic designer to a chef.

Malhotra learned to cook from his father, infusing traditional dishes with his personal flair. He often dreams up new recipes, like an Indian-style ramen or lamb rogan josh over rigatoni. His fusion menu at Elephant Wings features unique items like a banh mi with cumin chicken and tikka masala poutine.

Initially, Malhotra was determined to avoid serving common dishes like butter chicken and tikka masala. However, recognizing the need for familiarity, he included them on the menu. “I need to have something recognizable,” he explains.

Fusion cuisine can be challenging for some diners who shy away from trying new flavors. Malhotra suggests keeping an open mind when approaching his innovative spins on classic dishes. His creativity recently paid off when he won a taco competition with his Indian twist on a taco, showcasing his ability to blend flavors seamlessly.

The Influence of Indian Markets

For anyone seeking authentic Indian ingredients in the metro area, several markets cater to diverse culinary needs, from pickled mango chutney to specialty snacks. Places like Ambica Foods and KC India Mart are popular for sourcing quality spices and ingredients that are staples in Indian cooking.

According to recent data, the interest in fusion cuisine has surged over the past few years, with many diners more willing to explore diverse food options. Chef Ameet Malhotra’s experience reflects this trend as he introduces Kansas City to bold flavors and creative dishes, bridging cultural culinary gaps.

Swetha Newcomb and Ameet Malhotra are more than just chefs—they represent a growing movement of chefs bringing cultural heritage to modern dining. Their work enriches not only the local food scene but also the experience of exploring world cuisines.

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