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Lifelong Journey to Find Good Eats

The art of vegetarian cooking at Appu's Turmeric Cafe

Opening up Appu's Turmeric Cafe

Opening up Appu's Turmeric Cafe
Opening up Appu's Turmeric Cafe was a way for Chef VR to continue his love for cooking and promote a healthy lifestyle. Chef VR's mantra is "Healthy eating is a choice, eating healthy is a lifestyle". From his choice of ingredients, to heart healthy food preparation, every meal is designed to keep the body balanced, and the taste buds go "Snap, Crackle and Pop."

Chef VR: Mastering the Art of Flavorful Cuisine

Chef VR: Mastering the Art of Flavorful Cuisine
Hunger is the best motivation, I’ve never eaten anything that’s talked, walked, crawled or had a heart. So for me, it has always been a lifetime search and quest for trying to find good food. Learning to cook was the natural way of making good food for my stomach.

Nelly Lerma, Sous Chef & Nanny to Chef VR's kids

Nelly Lerma, Sous Chef & Nanny to Chef VR's kids
Together, the two fused each of their cooking backgrounds and shared experiences to discover a unique menu. One that was low in saturated fats, low in its Glycemic index and one that satisfied every customers palette. "When it comes to cooking Nelly is an artist, Her creations are time tested and the taste is just phenomenal, I have known Nelly for 32 years. She took care of my children. During her time as a nanny, Nelly really honed in on the art of Indian spices and cooking.

The dynamic duo behind Appu's Turmeric Cafe

The dynamic duo behind Appu's Turmeric Cafe
Chef VR and Surya (Sunny) form the dynamic core of Appu's Turmeric Cafe. Chef VR, the culinary innovator and inventor, pioneers our flavorful dishes while Surya, his protégé brings his expertise in management, seamlessly orchestrating cafe operations. Together, they craft a culinary haven where innovation meets seamless execution.

From Humble Beginnings to a Bold Vision

From Humble Beginnings to a Bold Vision
Starting off in a 450 sq ft kitchen, Appu’s Cafe crafted wholesome, flavorful dishes with love. Chef VR knew every great mom-and-pop store has a moment when it is time to share their passion with more people. That moment arrived—now, he’s expanding his vision of healthy, delicious dining to the wider Long Beach community.