Mukhi Singh, the chef-owner of the popular Twisted Tandoor food truck, died Friday morning hours before he was to open the brick-and-mortar version of his mobile restaurant. He was 52.
His wife and business partner Roop Singh said he was bringing items into the couple’s restaurant at 427 E. Limberlost Drive at 9:30 a.m. Thursday when he collapsed. The apparent heart attack occurred just two hours before the couple was set to open the restaurant for the first day of business.
Singh said those plans are now on hold for two or three weeks.
“You all know how much he loved you guys and just how much he loved in general,” she and the couple’s daughter, Shireen, posted on Twisted Tandoor’s Facebook page Friday afternoon. “He was the most brilliant, charismatic human that existed in our lives and we were truly lucky to have him. We hope that he is at peace and we all know that through whatever means, he is in a better place.”
Mukhi Singh was born in Secunderabad, India, and moved to the United States 15 years ago. He and his wife, who were married in 1989, moved to Tucson in 2001 and launched the Twisted Tandoor food truck two and a half years ago.
The truck had a huge following in Tucson, and made it to the finals of Caliente’s Food Truck Madness competition in June. Twisted Tandoor lost after Singh took the final week of voting off to spend time with his parents, who had come from India.
“Tucson is a kind, kind city, and they’ve given us an opportunity that’s totally beyond our belief,” Singh said after the June social media-driven contest. “We are so grateful for the support and loyalty. It’s something we never take lightly.”
In addition to his wife and daughter, who is a University of Arizona student, Singh is survived by his parents and other family in India.
Roop Singh said services are pending.
