Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth2 March 1978
Age45 Years
BirthplaceKollam, Kerala, India
ProfessionChef, Businessman
NationalityBritish
Marital statusMarried
SpouseRemya Suresh
FamilySon - Sreehari Pillai; Daughter - Aishwarya Pillai; Parents - Sasidharan Pillai and Radhamma
Suresh Pillai Biography
Suresh Sasidharan Pillai, known professionally as Chef Pillai, is an Indian-British chef and restaurateur from Kollam, Kerala. He built a career that spans
Early life and backgroundSuresh Sasidharan Pillai was born on 2 March 1978 in Kollam, Kerala. He grew up in a working-class family; his parents worked as coir labourers. As a child he took on small jobs to earn pocket money, selling pomelo and roasted groundnuts in local markets. During his school years he competed in chess at state and district levels and won the under-18 championship in Kollam district.
Pillai completed his schooling at GPHSS, Chavara South, Kerala. He began working in kitchens while still a teenager, taking roles as a waiter, catering assistant and cook. After matriculation he pursued part-time cooking alongside further studies, and at 17 joined the staff of the Chef King restaurant in Kollam.
Career
Pillai’s early professional years took him across India. He moved to Calicut to learn Malabar cuisine and later worked in Bangalore at Coconut Groove Hotel, where he specialised in South Indian regional styles including Coorgi, Chettinad and Konkani. He spent several years in managerial and sous-chef positions at hotels and restaurants, including a stint with the Leela Group and a role as sous chef in Kumarakom.
In 2005 Pillai relocated to the UK and entered London’s Indian restaurant scene. He worked at Veeraswamy and later held positions such as sous-chef at Purple Poppadom in Cardiff, head chef at Cinnamon Culture in London, sous-chef at Gymkhana and head chef roles at Darbaar and Hoppers. He has also worked as a corporate chef and Culinary Director at The Raviz Hotel in Kollam after returning to India in 2020.
Beyond these posts, Pillai has been involved in international culinary projects and opened restaurants abroad, including locations in Germany and Portugal. He has travelled to the UK, the US, the Middle East and Australia to collaborate with other chefs and take part in special food events. He was invited to teach Indian and Kerala cuisine as a guest chef at Bahamas University.
Television and public cooking
Pillai gained wider recognition when he competed on the British television series MasterChef: The Professionals on BBC Two in 2017. During the competition he presented dishes such as a soufflé and a traditional Kerala fish curry with accompaniments. He has described participation on MasterChef as the realisation of a long-held ambition and noted that he was the second Malayalee to be selected for that series.
Following his return to India, Pillai expanded into media and televised cooking roles. In 2021 he appeared as a judge on the Malayalam reality show Mounaragam on Disteny+Hotstar. He later took part in regional game and cooking shows, including Flowers Oru Kodi and Kutti Kalavara Seniors on the Flowers channel in 2022. In 2023 he hosted the Zee Keralam cooking programme Onnonnara Ruchi.
Entrepreneurship and restaurants
Pillai founded several businesses during his career, including Restaurant Chef Pillai, Kothu Xpress, North Rasoi and United Coconut. Restaurant Chef Pillai opened in Bangalore in 2021, with an additional branch launched in Kochi in 2022. His restaurant ventures also extend to Germany and Portugal.
Community work and campaigns
Pillai has participated in charitable culinary campaigns. In 2016 he joined the #CookforSyria initiative in Europe to raise funds for children affected by the conflict in Syria, and in 2018 he took part in #CookforKerala to support flood relief efforts.
Public profile
Pillai is known by the professional moniker Chef Pillai. He holds Indian origin and British nationality. Personal details frequently mentioned in interviews include a fondness for music, travel and reading, and an interest in discovering ingredients and techniques from other cuisines. He has said that he never attended a formal hotel management course and learned through hands-on experience.
Personal life
Pillai is married to Remya Suresh; the couple wed on 10 September 2005 and have two children, a son named Sreehari and a daughter named Aishwarya. He comes from a family that includes a brother and a sister. His parents are Sasidharan Pillai and Radhamma.
Latest updates
In recent years Pillai returned to India to take on corporate culinary leadership and to grow his restaurant brand. He remains active on television, alternating roles as judge and host, while continuing to operate and expand his dining ventures.
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Recent Work
Opened a restaurant in Bangalore in 2021; a second branch opened in Kochi in 2022.
2021-2022Host of the Zee Keralam cooking show.
2023Contestant on the BBC Two cooking competition.
2017Career Highlights
- Participant on MasterChef: The Professionals (BBC Two, 2017)
- Founder of Restaurant Chef Pillai, Kothu Xpress, North Rasoi and United Coconut
- Head chef and sous-chef roles at notable London restaurants including Cinnamon Culture, Gymkhana, Darbaar and Hoppers
- Culinary Director at The Raviz Hotel, Kollam
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Suresh Pillai born?
Suresh Pillai was born on 2 March 1978.
What is Suresh Pillai known for?
Suresh Pillai is known for chef, Businessman.
What is Suresh Pillai’s marital status?
Suresh Pillai's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Suresh Pillai married to?
Suresh Pillai is publicly listed as married to Remya Suresh.
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