Today we’d like to introduce you to Giridhar Sastry.
Hi Giridhar, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as a chef began in Kolkata, India, where my love for cooking started in my mother’s kitchen. Watching her prepare meals for our family taught me that food is much more than nourishment—it brings people together, creates memories, and tells a story. That passion led me to pursue hospitality school in India before beginning my professional career with Ambassador Sky Chefs, where I developed a strong foundation in classical European cuisine.
In 2000, I moved to the United States to continue my culinary education and challenge myself in some of the country’s finest kitchens. Over the years, I had the privilege of working with exceptional teams at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., Passion Foods, and The Mayflower Hotel by Marriott. Each experience shaped my cooking style and reinforced my belief that the best dishes are created by combining technique, creativity, and genuine hospitality.
In 2024, I fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening The Union Bar. My vision was simple: bring the quality and creativity of fine dining into a warm, approachable neighborhood restaurant where everyone feels welcome. Our menu reflects my travels and experiences around the world, blending global flavors with fresh, locally sourced ingredients while staying true to the idea that every meal should be memorable.
Today, my greatest reward is seeing guests celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, business meetings, or simply a night out over food that my team and I have prepared with passion. At The Union Bar, we’re not just serving meals—we’re creating experiences and building a place where our community can gather, connect, and feel at home. That has always been, and continues to be, the heart of my journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most entrepreneurs and chefs, my journey has been anything but smooth. Every stage of my career came with its own challenges—from moving to a new country and adapting to a different culture, to proving myself in highly competitive kitchens and constantly learning new techniques.
Opening The Union Bar brought an entirely new set of challenges. We launched during a time when the restaurant industry was facing staffing shortages, rising food costs, and changing customer expectations. Building a team that shares the same passion for hospitality and maintaining consistency every single day has been one of the biggest challenges.
One of the things that has made this journey easier has been having great partners by my side. Working with Rikin Parikh and Beenish Bhatia, who bring extensive business experience and a shared vision for excellence, has allowed me to focus on what I do best—creating exceptional food and memorable dining experiences. Their leadership and business expertise have been invaluable in helping The Union Bar grow and navigate the challenges that come with owning a restaurant.
What has kept me going is my love for cooking and the relationships we’ve built with our guests. Every challenge has been an opportunity to grow, improve, and become better. Seeing people celebrate life’s special moments at The Union Bar and hearing that they enjoyed a meal we’ve prepared makes all the hard work worthwhile. I truly believe that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about learning from them and continuing to move forward with passion and purpose.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As Executive Chef of The Union Bar, my passion is creating food that is approachable, memorable, and made with purpose. My culinary style is influenced by the years I spent working in luxury hotels and fine dining kitchens, but I also believe that exceptional food shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions. At The Union Bar, we’ve created a menu that blends global flavors with American favorites, using fresh ingredients, thoughtful techniques, and attention to every detail.
What I’m most proud of is the consistency we’ve built. Whether it’s someone’s first visit or their fiftieth, I want every guest to leave feeling they had a great meal and an even better experience. Seeing families celebrate milestones, friends gather over dinner, and guests return because they trust our food is incredibly rewarding.
What sets The Union Bar apart is that we don’t just focus on what’s on the plate—we focus on the entire dining experience. From the quality of our ingredients to the presentation, service, and atmosphere, every detail matters. We also aren’t afraid to be creative, introducing unique dishes and seasonal specials while staying true to the comfort and hospitality people expect from a neighborhood restaurant.
At the end of the day, I want every guest to feel like they’ve discovered a place they’ll want to come back to. That’s the standard I hold myself and my team to every single day.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is spending time in the kitchen with my mother. I would watch her prepare meals from scratch with so much care and love for our family. She never looked at cooking as a chore—it was her way of bringing everyone together around the table. Those moments taught me that food has the power to create memories, spark conversations, and make people feel at home. Looking back, I realize those simple moments in our family kitchen were the foundation of my passion for cooking and ultimately inspired the career I’ve dedicated my life to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theunionbarandgrill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunionbarandgrill/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUnionBarAndGrill/
