Chef Vikas Khanna’s life story is a profound journey of resilience, humility, and purpose.
Born with a congenital foot defect in India and facing discrimination and hardship, he defied expectations to become one of the most celebrated Indian American chefs in the world. From a young age, he was deeply inspired by his grandmother, who taught him the beauty of Indian cuisine and life’s cyclical nature.
Despite facing countless setbacks, including homelessness and personal losses, Vikas Khanna has become a voice for the underserved and a champion of Indian heritage. Chef Vikas’ work encompasses his commitment to meaningful, impactful work that transcends the culinary world.
Watch now to learn about turning failure to triumph, hosting MasterChef India, and becoming an award winning filmmaker.
Chapters:
[1:59] – Chef Vikas’ Darkest Moment
[4:51] – Lessons in Perseverance
[7:07] – Opening Day of Bungalow
[10:37] – The Heart Work of Restaurants
[20:06] – Creating The Last Color
[22.29] – Sharing His Story
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Episode Links:
Chef Vikas Khanna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikaskhannagroup
Bungalow Online: https://www.bungalowny.com/
Bungalow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bungalowny
Chef Vikas Khanna Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Vikas-Khanna/
Takeaways:
Failure as a Turning Point – For Chef Vikas, life threw him a curve ball that required him to shut down his restaurant and pivot. Without a clear path forward, a quick meeting with “His Holiness” provided a sense of affirmation that allowed Chef Vikas to find peace in the hunt for new endeavors.
Reenergizing Restaurants Post Pandemic – The global pandemic did a number on the restaurant industry. For Chef Vikas, it is important for restaurants to positively reinvent themselves in innovative ways that will create a desire among consumers to return to restaurants at a sustainable rate.
The Magic of Books – UTSAV: A Culinary Epic of Indian Festivals is a very rare book created by Chef Vikas that captures the essence of Indian culture. After extensive research, he put together a 1200-page masterpiece. With only 13 created, he hand delivered to prominent figures around the globe.
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ABOUT CHEF VIKAS KHANNA—
Chef Vikas Khanna’s life is a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and purpose. Facing intense hardship in his native India, Khanna rose against all odds to become a highly acclaimed Indian American chef. His culinary journey began with his grandmother, who introduced him to the artistry of Indian cooking and instilled in him an appreciation for life’s cyclical nature. Her influence guided him to the world stage, where he earned a Michelin star, published over 37 books, and produced documentary films showcasing India’s rich culture. His New York restaurant, Bungalow, reflects this blend of personal history and culinary creativity, featuring dishes inspired by pivotal moments in his life, such as a lotus root dish dedicated to a woman who saved him during the Mumbai riots.
Khanna’s contributions extend well beyond the kitchen. His *Feed India* project has served millions of meals, and his acclaimed film *The Last Color* brings attention to the hardships faced by widowed women in India. Through these humanitarian efforts, he advocates for underserved communities, especially women, and raises awareness on their challenges. His 1,200-page book *UTSAV* captures the beauty of India’s festivals and has been shared with world leaders. Despite encountering countless challenges, including a period of homelessness and personal loss, Khanna has emerged as a powerful voice for Indian culture and a dedicated humanitarian. With Bungalow’s opening in 2024, a tribute to his late sister’s dream of creating an iconic Indian restaurant, Khanna has reached a pinnacle in his culinary journey. As he moves forward, he plans to focus entirely on combating hunger through *Feed India*, furthering his commitment to social impact.
ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —
Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.
Published by Entrepreneur Media – https://entreprenuer.com
Produced by Cali BBQ Media – https://betheshow.media
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