Narsai David facts for kids

Narsai Michael David (born June 26, 1936 – died June 20, 2024) was a famous American chef. He was also an author, a radio host who talked about food, and he owned a winery. Narsai David was well-known in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. He used to write about food, own restaurants and markets, and run a catering business.

Narsai David's Early Life and Education

Narsai Michael David was born in South Bend, Indiana. His parents, Michael Khanno David and Shulamith Sayad, were Assyrian. He grew up in Turlock, California, and finished high school there.

He went to the University of California, Berkeley. He studied math and also prepared for medical school. To pay for college, he worked at Hy's Restaurant in Oakland.

Starting His Career in Food

After college, Narsai David owned a printing company for two years. In 1959, he started working at the Potluck Restaurant in Berkeley, California. He eventually became a partner there. He stayed at the Potluck Restaurant until 1972.

Narsai David's Catering Business

In 1970, Narsai David started his own catering company. One of his first big clients was Bill Graham. Bill Graham was a famous rock music promoter in San Francisco. Narsai catered events for many major bands, including The Rolling Stones.

He also prepared meals backstage for bands and crews at the California Jam concert in 1974. Over the years, he catered many special events. Some of these events were for the British royal family when they visited San Francisco.

Narsai's Restaurant and Market

In 1972, Narsai David opened his own restaurant called Narsai's. It was in Kensington, a fancy area near Berkeley. The New York Times newspaper said that Narsai's restaurant had one of the best wine cellars in the world.

Next to the restaurant, he opened Narsai's Market in 1978. This market sold many special imported and gourmet foods. Some of these products were made just for him, using his own recipes. Narsai's Market closed in 1985, and the restaurant closed in 1986.

Winery and Media Work

Narsai David also owned a vineyard in the Napa Valley. It was called Narsai David Estates. He made his own special wines there, including a Cuvée and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

From the 1980s to the 1990s, he wrote a food and cooking column for the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. He was also the Food and Wine Editor for KCBS radio. You could often hear him on the radio and see him on television.

Later Life and Passing

Narsai David had some health problems after a fall. He passed away on June 20, 2024, at the age of 87.