Biography:

Commonly credited as being the first East Indian chef to work in the United States, Ranji Smile arrived in New York City in 1899, and began cooking at Louis Sherry's restuarant, 44th and 5th Avenue. He had been head hunted by Sherry during his tenure at the Savoy Hotel in London; Sherry, much imrpressed by Smile, invited him back to New York.

After two years, Smile immigrated to Bombay, ostensibly to recieve an inheritance, although he re-entered the United States without permission to work in late 1901. From there, he began touring the eastern seaboard, cooking at high-end restaurants in New York, Boston, Washington DC, and Philadelphia.