BLYTHEWOOD – Everything’s coming up roses for Blythewood Chef Andrew Gajadhar.
In April, he participated in the Grand Finale Chef’s Tasting at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival; in July, he placed second in his region in the national Celebrity Chef, Carla Hall’s ‘Favorite Chef’ competition sponsored by the James Beard Foundation; and last week, Gajadhar sealed a deal to open a restaurant along with two investors – multi-platinum recording artist/producer and Hip Hop pioneer AB Money and DJ FX.
The 1,000 square-foot eatery will be called The Gaj Kitchen and will be located inside the World Food Market Place international grocery store at 3315 Broad River Road in Columbia.
“The Kitchen will include a café, deli, and bakery,” Gajadhar said. “I will also use the space for filming cooking shows/demonstrations, teaching cooking classes, and catering. Besides preparing meals, I’ll be selling my own products – sauces, dry rubs, etc. The restaurant will also offer space for other private chefs and caterers to use the Kitchen to prep and store their food.”
Gajadhar says the concept of The Gaj Kitchen is an international gourmet grab-and-go café, where customers will find comfort foods influenced by India, the Caribbean, the Hispanic countries, and the Northeast and Southern US.
“Additionally, we will offer grab-and-go mocktails, tea, and coffee options,” Gajadhar says.
“We will primarily offer farm-to-table foods from local farms in Blythewood and Fairfield County,” Gajadhar says.
The bakery side of the restaurant will offer desserts and breads that are gluten and sugar free.
Gajadhar says the business concept will also include a source for other chefs, caterers, food truck owners, and bakers in the area by providing a platform for their businesses to grow through the use of his commercial kitchen for prepping, developing recipes, and marketing their brands.
A grand opening for the restaurant will be held Oct. 6.