Bitten by the culinary bug
HE STARTED as a waiter working extra shifts to make extra cash, and today Seelan Sundoo is the owner of not one, but two authentically Indian restaurants in Cape Town.
Each takes a part of his name – Sundoo in Sea Point and Seelan at the V&A Waterfront.
“My love for food started through my mother and grandmother,” said the chef, who was born in the city.
“While studying chemistry through Unisa, I started working at two restaurants in Sea Point. What started as a waitering job for extra cash escalated to me assisting in the kitchen.
“I then had a job offer at La Perla where I ended up working for 14 years and the culinary bug had me.”
Describing his style as “oldstyle cooking with new trending dishes”, Sundoo related how he began his business.
“Opportunity knocked when a friend wanted to sell his business in the V&A Waterfront.
“I loved the location which overlook the harbour with its boats and yachts, and has magnificent views of Table Mountain and the old historic part of the waterfront.
“Sundoo tapas just had to be in Sea Point; the location together with the tapas-style food simply had the right vibe.”
While the eatery serves South Indian cuisine exclusively, the other, Seelan, is based on a trendy harbour restaurant in St Tropez with Mediterranean/Indo Asian dishes, he said.
“Seelan is clean-cut and sleek while Sundoo is more of a cozy New York-style eatery.”
As for the response to his two new eateries, Sandoo said it’s been better than he expected.
“Many of the people comment on the tapa-style eating at Sundoo and love having the opportunity to share and try different dishes.
“Seelan has it’s die-hard regulars who are waited upon by old-school waiters.
“We have also established great relationships with various tour operators who repeatedly visit with their small groups.”