‘Local legend’ talks to Chris Shepherd about food, flavor, and her eco-friendly business practices

Anita Jaisinghani loved food from a young age, but it wasn’t until she moved to Houston that she turned her passion into a career.

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, Shepherd sits down with Jaisinghani, the chef & co-owner of Pondicheri, who he calls a “local legend,” “amazing human,” and “amazing chef.”

Jaisinghani was born and raised in India. She jumped into the food industry when she started catering and selling chutneys in Whole Foods grocery stores. From there, she joined the pastry department at Café Annie, where she worked for two years.

Jaisinghani opened her first restaurant Indika in 2001.

Ten years later, Pondicheri opened. Three years later, in 2014, Pondicheri’s Bake Lab + Shop was open for business.

Jaisinghani hasn’t slowed down. On top of running the restaurants, she writes recipe columns and has a cookbook that was nominated for a James Beard award.

In addition to her attention to quality ingredients and dishes, Jaisinghani is committed to sustainability. In this episode, Shepherd learns how Pondicheri turns food waste into material that helps the environment.

• PREVIOUS EPISODE: Seafood doesn’t get much fresher than this

Watch this episode of “Eat Like a Local” in the video player above

“Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” is your guide to the best food in Houston. Watch new episodes Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2.

Pondicheri Restaurant

2800 Kirby Drive, Suite B132

Pondicheri Bake Lab

2800 Kirby Drive, Suite B240

More “Eat Like a Local” restaurants featured in this episode

• Shri Balaji Bhavan: 5655 Hillcroft St. | Houston
• Musaafer: 5115 Westheimer Rd. | Houston
• London Sizzler Indian Bar & Grill: 6690 Southwest Fwy. | Houston
• Udipi Cafe: 2325 Williams Trace Blvd. | Sugar Land

Bookmark the Eat Like a Local website, so you can find more restaurants serving up great food near you. We’re adding restaurants to the map every week.

Watch “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2.

More “Eat Like a Local” episodes

• EPISODE 1: Smashed, buttery, or old school: These are top places to get a burger in Houston
• EPISODE 2: Brisket, ribs, and all the sides: Here are mouth-watering craft barbeque spots in Houston
• EPISODE 3: Bánh mì and Pho: These Vietnamese restaurants are doing it right in Houston
• EPISODE 4: Tacos for any day of the week! Chris Shepherd takes us on a taco crawl around Houston
• EPISODE 5: Cooking with fire! 🔥 Flames and smoke are the secret to success at these Houston restaurants
• EPISODE 6: Secret wings, sparkling cocktails, ‘heaven on a slice’: This is what top chefs order on their days off
• EPISODE 7: Oysters and caviar! Dig into the science of seafood and Gulf Coast flavors on ‘Eat Like a Local’
• EPISODE 8: Blood Bros. and Feges: These Houston restaurants put their own delicious spin on BBQ
• EPISODE 9: Take a trip to Katy Asian Town and your taste buds will thank you
• EPISODE 10: This acclaimed chef rightfully refuses to compromise on her ‘unapologetically, and authentically Thai’ recipes
• EPISODE 11: Explore cuisine from across Mexico in Houston🍽️These restaurants’ family recipes will have you coming back
• EPISODE 12: A fusion of flavors awaits as Chris Shepherd takes us on a Mediterranean food truck tour
• EPISODE 13: Hear the stories behind two iconic Houston restaurants told by the women running them
• EPISODE 14: Flavor with flair🍽️Tony’s in Houston adds fun to your fine dining experience
• EPISODE 15: ‘Contemporary luxury’ and a ‘house party’ in a dining room | Memorable meals await at these neighborhood restaurants
• EPISODE 16: Dim Sum to dine for! Get your dumpling fix at these Houston restaurants
• EPISODE 17: From seafood to cinnamon rolls, here’s where to go when you’re craving uniquely Houston coastal cuisine
• EPISODE 18: Date night! Chris Shepherd & friends dish on their favorite places to go for a special night out
• EPISODE 19: Shop and dine at one of Houston’s most beloved international grocery stores
• EPISODE 20: For the love of Lucille: Meet the Houston chef inspired by his great-grandmother’s passion for cooking and community
• EPISODE 21: ‘Eat Like a Local’ at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
• EPISODE 22: Craving crawfish? Chris Shepherd visits a Louisiana crawfish farm and then finds some of the best mudbugs in Houston
• EPISODE 23: Pizza perfection: These Houston restaurants are worth visiting for your next slice
• EPISODE 24: ‘The birthplace of Houston’s kolache scene’ still serving great breakfasts nearly 70 years after it opened
• EPISODE 25: Seafood doesn’t get much fresher than this