In Episode 2 of Rashawn’s Corner, Rashawn sits down with chef, restaurateur, and passionate watch collector Jay Kumar—the creative force behind Brooklyn’s LORE and FOLK—for a conversation about taking risks, starting over, and giving meaning to the time we have. Jay traces his path from India to hospitality school and the Hilton in Basel, Switzerland, where being passed over for a promotion pushed him to bet on himself. With little more than his pension and determination, he built a restaurant from the ground up—answering calls, cooking every order, and making the deliveries himself. His journey eventually placed him at the center of Basel’s culinary and watch communities, where he crossed paths with industry legend Jean-Claude Biver and developed a lifelong appreciation for watches. Jay also opens up about following love to Brooklyn, rebuilding his life during the pandemic, and turning a year on a Hudson Valley farm into the foundation for LORE. Along the way, he and Rashawn explore family, community, hospitality, and why success is as much about people and purpose as it is about achievement. The episode closes with a look inside Jay’s deeply personal watch collection. From a birth-year Rolex tied to becoming a U.S. citizen to vintage pieces connected to friendship, love, and loss, each watch proves that the most meaningful collections are built on stories—not hype. Watch to the end for a thoughtful conversation about food, love, reinvention, collecting, and what it truly means to spend time well. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of watches, culture, and life. Explore more: https://rashawnscorner.com/