“We bring to Kismet Modern Indian Richmond (KismetRVA) the same commitment to excellence that our customers have come to know and love from us. Kismet RVA will reach even more diners and broaden our influence while we continue to elevate the impression of Indian cuisine.”
– Sachin Mahajan
Ajay Kumar
Executive Chef
Executive Chef Ajay Kumar has trained for his position leading a kitchen since he was a child cooking alongside his mother. Chef Ajay brings years of training and an artist's eye to his job leading the kitchen at Kismet in addition to the Michelin Bib Gourmand recognized, Karma Modern Indian in Washington, D.C. Having trained under well-known chefs from India and Japan, Chef Ajay appreciates fresh and flavor-packed ingredients. Firmly believing that people "eat with their eyes first," Chef Ajay meticulously prepares his dishes down to the final exquisite detail.
A talented artist not only in the kitchen, but Chef Ajay also creates impressive works of art using oil and acrylic paints on canvas. A true artist at heart, Chef Ajay seeks to replicate one of his paintings and create a dining experience that appeals to all of the senses and leaves diners with a new impression of Indian cuisine.
A talented artist not only in the kitchen, but Chef Ajay also creates impressive works of art using oil and acrylic paints on canvas. A true artist at heart, Chef Ajay seeks to replicate one of his paintings and create a dining experience that appeals to all of the senses and leaves diners with a new impression of Indian cuisine.
Sachin Mahajan
Managing Partner
Sachin Mahajan brings his enthusiasm for hospitality and strong passion for Indian cuisine daily to his role as Managing Partner at Kismet Modern Indian. With an MBA in international business and a strong background in finance, Sachin and his team successfully executed on the vision of presenting Indian cuisine with a contemporary flare and have been since promoting the cuisine with healthier and freshly made dishes unlike the traditional fare.
Sachin graduated from Monash University in Melbourne Australia and completed his Global MBA from the University of North Carolina. Sachin spent 15 years in international finance before becoming a restaurant entrepreneur. Together with his business partners, Mahajan has created dining experiences that uplift Indian cuisine.
Sachin graduated from Monash University in Melbourne Australia and completed his Global MBA from the University of North Carolina. Sachin spent 15 years in international finance before becoming a restaurant entrepreneur. Together with his business partners, Mahajan has created dining experiences that uplift Indian cuisine.
Ricky Singh
Partner
Business leader, digital executive, and entrepreneur, Ricky Singh developed a vision for a restaurant that both honored and elevated Indian cooking. As an IT executive specializing in the Internet of Things, creative and unique applications of the traditional is something, Ricky handles in his daily life. The skill of conceptualizing new and innovative ways to use everyday objects has been the theme of Singh's career. Together with his business partner, Singh conceived the idea of a restaurant that took traditional Indian dishes and cooking techniques and applied unique and surprising ingredients and flavors to those Indian dishes. The concept of Karma Modern Indian arose from the idea of modernizing Indian flavors.
With a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Information Systems Operations Management, Singh has spent most of his career developing and creating innovative IT systems helping to create products that integrate technology and everyday living into smart systems.
With a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Information Systems Operations Management, Singh has spent most of his career developing and creating innovative IT systems helping to create products that integrate technology and everyday living into smart systems.
James Cattaneo
General Manager
Kismet General Manager, James Cattaneo, brings a wealth of experience with him as he takes the helm at Kismet Modern Indian, bringing his talent to the team behind Karma Modern Indian in downtown Washington, D.C. Born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, James has called the D.C. area home for over 12 years, with the past six years overseeing restaurants in Old Town Alexandria. James has honed his skill at managing the front of the house operations. His welcoming smile and positive approach to hospitality has served him well. He relishes not only getting to know his guests but also building a strong team around him, allowing his colleagues to grow and feel confident in executing their duties and being a productive member of the Kismet family. In his free time, James enjoys hitting the links at the local driving range and visiting local breweries ~ he’s always ready for the next challenge. James is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
Hardy Mattu
Director of Operations
Hardy Mattu, Director of Operations, was born and raised in Scotland where he spent his first 30 years. Most recently he has made his home in Richmond, after a life journey that has spanned the globe. Hardy finds Richmond to be a community rich with culture made possible by the diversity of its residents.
Raised by a family in the restaurant business, he left home to become a deejay to the chagrin of his parents who were hoping he would consider a career in law or medicine – only to find his niche in the entertainment industry, building one of the UK’s most prestigious lighting supply companies, and installing systems in some of the city’s most notable bars and nightclubs. Hardy was quickly exceeding his parents’ expectations. After selling his business to an interested buyer, Hardy found his way to the United States, settling in Florida where he soon launched an online vacation rental business. It was not long before this venture also took off, becoming one of the largest of its kind in the region. Before long, Hardy was again in the enviable position of selling a successful business. This time to one of the largest Vacation Rental companies in the states, whom he continued to work for before deciding to return to his roots, and finally put his hat into the ring and become a restaurateur.
Hardy and his experiences as a serial entrepreneur have shaped him and made him the leader that he is today. Coming full circle, Hardy is now fully embracing the restaurant and hospitality business with the same passion he had for the entertainment industry early in his career.
At Kismet Modern Indian, Hardy leads a team of qualified and dedicated staff, bringing to Richmond a style of Indian that brings inspired dishes to diners excited to see this elevated cuisine in their neighborhood.
Raised by a family in the restaurant business, he left home to become a deejay to the chagrin of his parents who were hoping he would consider a career in law or medicine – only to find his niche in the entertainment industry, building one of the UK’s most prestigious lighting supply companies, and installing systems in some of the city’s most notable bars and nightclubs. Hardy was quickly exceeding his parents’ expectations. After selling his business to an interested buyer, Hardy found his way to the United States, settling in Florida where he soon launched an online vacation rental business. It was not long before this venture also took off, becoming one of the largest of its kind in the region. Before long, Hardy was again in the enviable position of selling a successful business. This time to one of the largest Vacation Rental companies in the states, whom he continued to work for before deciding to return to his roots, and finally put his hat into the ring and become a restaurateur.
Hardy and his experiences as a serial entrepreneur have shaped him and made him the leader that he is today. Coming full circle, Hardy is now fully embracing the restaurant and hospitality business with the same passion he had for the entertainment industry early in his career.
At Kismet Modern Indian, Hardy leads a team of qualified and dedicated staff, bringing to Richmond a style of Indian that brings inspired dishes to diners excited to see this elevated cuisine in their neighborhood.
