Michael Jackson discovered Golden Temple in the early 1980s through enchiladas at a Los Angeles vegetarian restaurant. The meal led to him returning and eventually to chef Mani Niall becoming his first private chef from 1982 to 1985. Niall delivered takeout to Quincy Jones’ Westlake studios while Jackson recorded “Thriller,” bringing red chile enchiladas, ginger-miso salad, and blueberry bars. Jackson paid attention to the smoky red chile sauce from New Mexico, which he preferred on enchiladas, nachos, and potato skins. The Golden Temple restaurant operated as an offshoot of 3HO, a non-profit tied to Kundalini Yoga and meditation founded by Yogi Bhajan.
"“I dropped off his requested red chile enchilada ( an upscale twist on a takeout classic), our popular ginger-miso salad and blueberry bars . . . and was handed a cool $40 by the secretary,” recalled Niall who would soon become Jackson's first private chef (1982-1985) and even accompany him on the 1984 Victory Tour."
"“I quickly realized his favorite was a smoky red chile sauce from New Mexico, slathered over enchiladas, nachos, and potato skins,” said Niall, who packed the chile powder in bulk for the tour."
"First opening its doors circa 1969, the Golden Temple restaurant was an offshoot of the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization, aka 3HO, which teaches Kundalini Yoga and meditation among other things. The non-profit was founded by Yogi Bhajan, whom you might know from his ties to Yogi Tea or from any of the number of unsavory allegations he racked up over the years since his death in 2004 to warrant a three-part cult documentary on Net"
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