About Govind Armstrong
Raised in both Los Angeles and on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, chef Govind Armstrong is as unique a personality as he is a culinary talent. With his distinctive approach to cooking, he is quickly becoming one of the nation's brightest stars, both in the kitchen and in front of the camera. As executive chef and partner of Table 8 in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Govind is strongly committed to market-driven cuisine that focuses on fresh seasonal ingredients from the finest local producers. He and his partners recently opened 8 oz., a burger bar in Los Angeles and Miami, and Govind brought his singular style to New York City in May 2009 with the opening of Table 8 at The Cooper Square Hotel.
Despite his relative youth, Govind has been a first-hand participant in L.A.'s culinary history—and the evolution of California cuisine—for two decades. Beginning at age 13, he spent three summer vacations working with Wolfgang Puck in the trend-setting kitchen of the original Spago. He also worked for L.A. culinary luminaries Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton at Campanile, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger at their seminal City Restaurant, and Joachim Splichal at Patina and Pinot Hollywood. Govind has trained in highly regarded European kitchens, including Arzak restaurant, the preeminent Michelin three-star establishment in San Sebastian, Spain. Through these experiences, Govind has remained a purist in the practice of California cuisine—eschewing an excessive infusion of Asian or Latin American influences—and has developed close relationships with top local producers who provide remarkable seasonal ingredients.
Govind is a consultant chef to Air New Zealand, a member of the Marshall Fields/Macy's culinary advisory board, guest chef aboard the Queen Mary 2 and Crystal Cruises and a culinary ambassador to New Zealand. Additionally, he has made a wide range of media appearances from print (People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful Issue, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, O Magazine) to television (Iron Chef America/Food Network, The Today Show/NBC, Bravo's Top Chef, Extra, Style Network, Fine Living and WE). In 2007, Govind released Small Bites, Big Nights: Seductive Little Plates for Intimate Occasions and Lavish Parties, his first cookbook from Clarkson Potter. In February of 2008, he made his debut appearance on Oprah.
