davidPrivate Chef in Denver, CO

New to HELMChopped Champion, ex-Gaggan, founder of Samosa Shop

The Chef

The Story

I'm a Denver-based chef who built my career on bold, cross-cultural cooking, from running the curry tandoori station at Bangkok's two-Michelin-star Gaggan to leading kitchens at Biju's Little Curry Shop and The Preservery back home. A CIA grad, I won Chopped in 2016 and Supermarket Stakeout in 2021, and StarChefs named me a Rising Star in 2022. Those experiences, plus time spent cooking through India and Thailand, shaped a style that blends South Indian, Caribbean, and American comfort food into something distinctly mine, later channeled into founding Samosa Shop. Today I cater luxury events, destination weddings, and multicultural celebrations, with a focus on Indian and Asian flavors. Expect inventive, personal food, thoughtfully sourced and confidently executed, for guests who want their event to taste like nowhere else.

The Table

Gallery

Coverage

Where david serves

Denver, CO · 35 miLos Angeles, CA · 25 miHouston, TX · 25 miMonterey, CA · 25 miNew Jersey · 25 miNew York, NY · 25 miArizona · 25 miNevada · 25 miMiami, FL · 25 mi

The Menu

Services & Pricing

$150.00 / guestGenerous shared platters served to the table — relaxed, abundant, and tailored to your group. · Grocery & ingredients from $0.00 / guest · 4–20 guestsReserve david →

$300.00 / guestFamily Liaison into the kitchens not familiar with Indian, middle eastern, and asian flavors to make your wedding weekend authentic! · Grocery & ingredients from $0.00 / guest · 2–20 guestsReserve david →

20 guests maximum · Books up to 6 months in advance

Work History

07/2020 - Current

Owner · Hadley Hospitality LLC. - Samosa Shop Co · Denver, CO

Founded and operate a culinary business, developing a CPG product while handling production, sales, budgeting, and quality control.

09/2019 - 07/2020

Culinary Director of Ops · Stone Soup Collective · Denver, CO & Chicago, IL

Managed multiple food chain locations, led R&D for new menu items, and oversaw P/L, budget, and payroll for two establishments.

02/2019 - 09/2019

Chef Instructor · Stir Cooking School · Denver, CO

Managed 3-4 employees serving 10-25 guests nightly and taught culinary classes including a children's summer program.

04/2018 - 03/2019

Corporate Chef/Kitchen Manager · Bijus Little Curry Shop · Denver, CO

Created recipe and operational standards manuals, executed health code compliance, and managed fast-casual restaurant operations.

06/2017 - 04/2018

Chef De Partie · Gaggan · Bangkok, Thailand

Led the curry tandoori station at a two-Michelin-star restaurant, collaborating with the head chef and international chefs on menu creation.

03/2016 - 06/2017

Sous Chef · The Preservery · Denver, CO

Handled all costing, ordering, and menu development while creating front-of-house policies and procedure standards.

Education

2014Bachelor of Arts: Professional Studies, Hospitality Management, The Culinary Institute Of America

2012Associate of Arts: Occupational Studies, Culinary Arts, The Culinary Institute Of America

Skills

IndianCurryTandooriFast CasualCPG ProductsMenu Development

Accolades

"Supermarket Stakeout" Winner (2021)
STARCHEFS Rising Stars (2022)
Voted 30 under 30 ZAGAT Semi-Finalists (2017)
"Chopped" Champion (2016)
Food Network "Chopped" Candidate

Every HELM Vendor Meets High Standards

We carefully evaluate chefs based on their culinary expertise, menu creativity, and proven track record for excellence.

Private dining with

Reserve david

from $150.00 / guest

2–20 guests · Books up to 6 months ahead

No charge today. Your card is charged the 30% deposit only if david accepts.

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