EXCLUSIVE: Chef Jassi Bindra of The Woodlands’ Amrina serves a top dish on Food Network show

THE WOODLANDS, TX – India-born Woodlands resident Jassi Bindra has been a shining star at Amrina, the year-old upscale restaurant nestled in The Woodlands Waterway. ‘Chef Jassi,’ a 36-year-old culinary phenomenon with multiple recognitions, has been adding his multi-spiced flair to the menu that includes an exquisite selection of steaks, seafood delicacies, and delectable vegetarian dishes.

Already, this seasoned chef has been named Hindustan Times’ 2019 One of the World's Best Indian Chefs as well as a mention in Michelin Guide 2019. But now he can add his largest-viewed recognition to his resume: he recently was the last chef standing as winner of the most recent episode of the popular Food Network television show, Chopped.

Every week, more than a half-million people tune in (with another few hundred thousand catching it on demand) to the reality show where four chefs square off against each other in a competition featuring three courses coming from ingredients hidden in baskets. Each course, one chef is ‘chopped,’ leaving the winner standing to receive accolades and a cash prize after the judging of the dessert course.

Chef Jassi recently sat down with Woodlands Online for an exclusive interview after his recent win on the show. He explained how the TV appearance came to be.

“I was approached last year via the producers contacting me through Instagram,” he said. “I went through a series of interviews and a Zoom call and answered questionnaires until I was finally selected to be on the show.”

In the August 15 episode titled “Oh, My Squash” on the show’s 55th(!) season, Chef Jassi faced three judges and three competitors in a challenge that put even his considerable cooking skills to the test. Directed to create dishes using ingredients such as smoked spicy peanut butter and canned sardines, he prevailed through the appetizer, entree, and dessert courses until he was the only chef left unchopped. As a result of his victory, he received $10,000 and considerable notoriety.

When asked about the difficulties of combining such disparate ingredients into competition, he confirmed his confidence in his culinary skills. “I really play with lots of ingredients, so I knew I had lots of experience in combining them for these dishes. It’s the same at Amrina; being able to experiment and create really helps.”

Chef Jassi’s personal history is as colorful as his dishes. “I came to the US from India in 2017; first I worked in San Francisco, then I moved to Washington, DC a year later,” he said. It was there when he was approached to come to The Woodlands for the creation of Amrina.

“The Woodlands really excites me,” he said. “I needed to learn more and upgrade my talent, and I wanted to bring even more flavor to this foodie area. We wanted The Woodlands to shine.”

The proof of Amrina’s reputation is (pardon the pun) in the pudding. Already, it has been named the on the lists of the 2022 Eater Houston Restaurant of the Year, 2022 Houston Chronicle Best New Restaurants, and Chron.com Best New Restaurants 2022.

If you watch his episode of Chopped, you’ll note that Chef Jassi talked often about his parents. It’s obvious that family is a significant driving force in his life.

“There are always people who support you. That’s my parents. I came from a business-related family and was the first to want to go into the service industry instead, and they respected me and stood by me and my decision,” he said. “Winning that show was me being able to pay back my respect to them.”

Though he admits that the restaurant world isn’t an easy business, it’s apparent that he enjoys pleasing people’s palates with his dishes. This month, Houston Restaurant Weeks is underway, and Amrina is one of the Woodlands-area restaurants that is participating in it with special dishes. Or people can also ask about Amrina’s Chef's Table, a remarkable experience featuring 6 - 16 courses and one-on-one time with the restaurant’s talented chefs.

Learn more about Amrina here: https://www.woodlandsonline.com/cdps/cditem.cfm?nid=18532.