Chef Spotlight: Executive Chef Navjot Arora of OLD MONK in the East Village

Old Monk Executive Chef and Co-Owner Navjot Arora grew up in Jalandhar Punjab, India, where his fascination with food began as a young boy. He spent hours watching his mother create delicious vegetarian dishes and his father cook his signature goat curry. Arora's dedication was first rewarded when he was put in charge of making the most important condiment, the mint chutney, requiring him to pick fresh mint leaves from the family garden and puree the ingredients using a mortar and pestle - a method he still employs today to derive the most vibrant flavors from herbs and spices.

Arora pursued his passion for cooking and went on to culinary school. After graduating, he embarked on a two-year training program at the prestigious Taj Group of Hotels in India.Upon completion of the course, he joined the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, a luxurious hotel with eight eateries including world-class French, Chinese, Mediterranean and Indian restaurants. He remained there for ten years, advancing to key supervisory kitchen positions including Sous Chef and ran the Indian restaurant for three years.

Looking to expand his culinary repertoire, Arora and his wife, Anu, moved to New York. He soon found an outlet for his experience and passion for contemporary Indian cuisine as the Executive Chef for pioneering restaurateur Sushil Malhotra's critically acclaimed Café Spice Restaurant Group.

Malhotra recognized Arora's ambition to start his own restaurant, so they partnered in April 2008 to open Chutney Masala Indian Bistro in New York's Westchester County, which has received "Best Of" honors in Westchester Magazine 5 years in a row. They went on to open the Thai-Malaysian restaurant Sambal, which also has been featured in Westchester Magazine's "Best Of" issue.

Arora and Malhotra opened their latest restaurant, Old Monk, in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood in July 2017. The Contemporary Indian Soul Food restaurant is a modern interpretation of their home country's cuisine. Taking pride in ethical sourcing, Arora creates dishes that harmonize with local and seasonal ingredients found in New York's greenmarkets.

Broadwayworld.com Food and Wine had the pleasure of interviewing Executive Chef Navjot Arora about his career and his new restaurant, Old Monk in the East Village.

What was your earliest interest in cooking (childhood, etc.)?

I became interested in cooking at a very young age, watching my mother cook delicious vegetarian dishes and my father cook his signature goat curry. Another childhood memory I think of often is making Gajar Halva, a type of carrot pudding dessert, with the whole family. Kids and parents would peel the carrots together -- we're talking 20 pounds of fresh carrots that are then cooked in milk for 5 hours to make this family-style dessert.

Who were some of your career mentors?

I've always been inspired by Anthony Bourdain. I've read his books and follow all his TV shows. He has broadened Americans' perspective of the rest of the world and its food. He goes to places people haven't heard of and captures the essence of each place, showcasing both the food and the people. He even went to Punjab, where I grew up.

What culinary styles have influenced your career?

Having been fortunate enough to cook in large, premier hotels in India early in my career, I was exposed to fine French, Italian, Chinese and Indian cuisines. Because of that training, I was also able to learn about Southeast Asian cuisines like Thai and Malaysian - which I love for their diversity and bold flavors that pack as punch. So, everything from classic French to Southeast Asian fare influences my work today.

What do you consider the most distinguishing features of your work as a chef?

My personal culinary style is that I don't like to fuss too much. No fuss, but I focus on preparing good food with balanced flavors. The simpler the better to let quality ingredients shine. Of course, presentation is important, but we plate attractively without being overly stuffy. You won't catch me working with any tweezers!

What is your favorite meal (or meals)?

There is this pho place in Flushing, Queens that I just love. Even though I no longer live in Queens, I still go there once a month to get my pho fix.

Tell me a little bit about Old Monk for our readers.

Old Monk is Contemporary Indian Soul Food, which means we add our personal touches to authentic, classic dishes, without sacrificing the original intent and soul of the dish.

Old Monk is located at 175 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009. Call them at 646.559.2922 and visit their web site at www.oldmonknyc.com. Follow them on Facebook and on social media @oldmonknyc.

Photo: Courtesy of Old Monk

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