This comprehensive biography explores the life and career of renowned chef Floyd Cardoz, from his early years in Mumbai to his impactful contributions to the culinary world in New York City and beyond.

Wiki/Biography

Born on Sunday, October 2, 1960, in Mumbai, India, Floyd Cardoz (age 59 at the time of his death) was a Libra. He received his education at St. Andrews High School and St. Xavier’s College, both in Mumbai. His culinary journey began with studies at the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology, and Applied Nutrition in Mumbai, followed by further training at Les Roches Bluche in Switzerland.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper

Family, Caste & Wife

Floyd’s mother’s name was Beryl Cardoz. He was married to Barkha Cardoz, his business partner. Together, they had two sons: Peter Cardoz and Justin Cardoz.

Career

Cardoz’s culinary career began as a chef de partie at Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces in Mumbai. He then served as a sous-chef at the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai before moving to New York City.

His New York career started as a chef de partie at Beech & Bamboo. A significant milestone was his collaboration with restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, leading to the opening of the acclaimed restaurant “Tabla” in 1997. While “Tabla” eventually closed in 2010, Cardoz continued to achieve great success.

In 2011, he triumphed as the winner of “Top Chef Masters” Season 3. This win led to further collaborations with Meyer, notably the popular “North End Grill” in Manhattan, which operated for about six years. He also co-founded the hospitality company “Hunger Inc.” alongside Sameer Seth and Thomas Zacharias.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch “Paowalla” (later renamed “Bombay Bread Bar”) in 2016. He further expanded his culinary empire by opening several notable restaurants in Mumbai: “The Bombay Canteen,” “Bombay Sweet Shop,” and “O Pedro”.

Death

In March 2020, Cardoz traveled from Mumbai to New York via Frankfurt. Shortly after arriving in New York, he developed a fever and was subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. He was hospitalized at Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, New Jersey, where he sadly passed away on March 25, 2020, after battling the illness for over two weeks.

Facts/Trivia

• Authored the books “Once Spice, Twice Spice” and “Flavorwalla.”
• Received four James Beard Foundation Award nominations.
• Donated his $110,000 “Top Chef Masters” winnings to the Young Scientist Cancer Research Fund at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
• In a 2017 interview, he revealed his initial interest in biochemistry before his passion for food steered him towards a culinary career.

Key Milestones in Floyd Cardoz’s Career