Avishar’s non-linear journey inspires us to reframe our past to live a more authentic future.
James Beard nominated chef and reality TV chef Avishar Barua confides that his life path has been far from what was anticipated from him. The son of Bengali parents with explicit career expectations, Avishar was expected to become a doctor— despite his knack for academics. Following his own inclinations, he defied the pre-written narrative and went to cooking school. Years later, he’s navigated the unexpected twists and turns of his career: running a fine dining restaurant during COVID, accepting a role on reality television, and riding the waves of professional success while trying to answer the question, “What’s next?”
About the speaker
Avishar Barua is a chef who loves to poke fun at himself as much as he does at the culinary world. Born in Columbus, Ohio, to Bangladeshi immigrant parents, Avishar’s path was anything but conventional. After earning degrees in biology and psychology from Ohio State, he made the logical decision to... become a chef. His culinary journey took him from local restaurants in Ohio to the high-stakes kitchens of New York City, including stints at WD~50 and Mission Chinese Food.
Returning to Columbus, Avishar made waves with his Cheesy Brisket Crunch at Service Bar, a dish that got him into the pages of Food & Wine magazine—though he’ll tell you it’s just a fancy Taco Bell knockoff. He went on to compete on "Top Chef" Season 18 and somehow managed to beat Bobby Flay, much to his own surprise.
In 2022, he opened Joya’s Café and Agni, where he’s known for creating "Seriously Fun Dining" experiences. Both restaurants were recognized as some of the best new spots in Columbus by Columbus Monthly in 2023. Avishar is passionate about improving the culinary industry, and while he’s racked up awards, including a James Beard nomination, he’s more focused on making the world a better place, one plate of food at a time. Oh, and he still thinks Columbus is the best city in the world, but he might be a little biased.
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Seventh Son Brewing Co.
1101 N 4th Street
Columbus, OH United States 43201
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