Raised on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and Los Angeles, 36-year-old Chef Govind Armstrong is as unique a personality as he is a culinar talent. With his distinctive approach to cooking, long dreadlocks tied behind his back and his easygoing style, he has quickly become one of the nation’s brightest stars. As executive chef and partner of Table 8 Los Angeles and Table 8 South Beach, Chef Govind is strongly committed to market-driven California-style cuisine that focuses on fresh seasonal ingredients from the finest local producers and farmers.

Despite his relative youth, Govind is a first-hand participant in L.A.'s culinary history and a contributor to the evolution of California cuisine for the past two decades. His career began at 13 years of age when he spent three summer vacations working with legendary chef, Wolfgang Puck, in the trend-setting kitchen of Spago during its inaugural year. Govind 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.

Internationally, Chef Govind spent time in the kitchen of Arzak restaurant, the preeminent Michelin three-star establishment in San Sebastian, Spain, and other highly regarded European kitchens. But he has always been a purist in the practice of California cuisine working with top local producers who provide him with remarkable seasonal ingredients that are the basis for each of his dishes.

As if the demands of the kitchen aren’t enough, Chef Govind released his first cookbook in 2007 with Clarkson Potter/Crown called “Small Bites, Big Nights.” He has also been busy traveling the world as a consultant chef for 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 as a culinary ambassador to New Zealand. Additionally, he’s been making a wide range of media appearances from print (People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful” Issue, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, O Magazine, etc.) to television (Iron Chef America/Food Network, The Today Show/NBC, Great Domestic Showdown/ABC, EXTRA!, Bravo, Style Network, Fine Living, WE, etc.).

TABLE 8 Los Angeles is located at 7661 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA; 323.782.8258. TABLE 8 South Beach is located at 1458 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL; 305-695-4114.
For more information, please visit www.table8restaurants.com.
TABLE 8 will open locations in Chicago, New York and Las Vegas within the next two years.

Govind Armstrong | David Gilbert | Dewey LoSasso | Tracy Miller | Martial Noguier | Allen Susser