Vikas Khanna

2021-07-19T04:40:23Z

98.7.39.14: /* Awards and recognitions */

{{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox chef 
| name = Vikas Khanna
| image = Doctorate ceremony.jpg
| caption = Chef Vikas Khanna receiving doctorate
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|11|14}}
| birth_place = [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]]
| style = [[Indian cuisine]]
| education = [[Manipal Academy of Higher Education]] [[GD Goenka University]]
| restaurants =
| books = ''Ayurveda - The Science of Food and Life''<br/>''Mango Mia''<br/>''The Spice Story of India''<br/>''Cuisine of Gandhi''<br/>''New York Chefs Cooking for Life - Cookbook''
}}

'''Vikas Khanna''' (born 14 November 1971) is an Indian chef, restaurateur, cookbook writer, filmmaker and humanitarian. He is one of the judges of [[StarPlus|Star Plus]] series [[MasterChef India]]. He is based in [[New York City]].

==Early life and education==
Khanna was born in [[Amritsar]], India to Davinder and Bindu Khanna. His mother still lives there. He did his schooling from St. Francis school, Amritsar.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|first=Vedika|last=Sud|title=Indian Michelin-star chef feeds millions from New York|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/12/india/vikas-khanna-feed-india-intl-hnk-dst/index.html|access-date=2020-10-29|website=CNN}}</ref> He was born with a leg deformity ([[club foot]]) and wasn't able to run until he was 13 years old. He was inspired by his Biji (grandmother) who loved to cook, and her kitchen became a part of his foundational training.

Khanna began developing recipes at a very young age and opened Lawrence Gardens Banquets to host weddings and family functions when he was 17. He graduated from Welcomgroup graduate school of hotel administration a constituent of [[Manipal Academy of Higher Education]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/vikas-khanna-goes-down-memory-lane/article2862408.ece|title=Vikas Khanna goes down memory lane|author=Staff Correspondent|date=5 February 2012|access-date=16 July 2018|website=Thehindu.com}}</ref>

Vikas Khanna also received an honorary doctorate at [[GD Goenka University]] as a recognition for his outstanding work in culinary art philanthropy, altruism and humanitarianism and his global reach as a chef.<ref>https://indiaeducationdiary.in/celebrity-chef-vikas-khanna-conferred-honorary-doctorate-g-d-goenka-university/</ref>

He has also studied at [[Culinary Institute of America]] and [[New York University]].

==Career==
While in India, Khanna worked for the [[Taj Hotels]], [[The Oberoi Group|Oberoi group]], [[ITC Hotels|Welcom group]], and [[Leela Group of Hotels]].

Khanna had worked at Salaam Bombay and The Café at the [[Rubin Museum of Art]] in New York before he joined Junoon, an upscale Indian restaurant in [[Flatiron district]] of Manhattan. Junoon received a favorable review from [[Sam Sifton]] in ''[[The New York Times]]''<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/dining/reviews/30rest.html/?_r=1/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715022340/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/dining/reviews/30rest.html/?_r=1%2F |date=15 July 2014 }}</ref> in its inaugural year and was awarded a Michelin star by the [[Michelin Guide]] for six consecutive years since 2011.<ref name=":0" />

He has also worked with top chefs including [[Gordon Ramsay]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/food-drink/musings/story/vikas-khanna-india-birthday-gordon-ramsay-masterchef-australia-queen-elizabeth-barack-obama-utsav-lifefd-1085929-2017-11-14|title=8 times Vikas Khanna made India proud on an international platform|date=14 November 2017|first=Shreya|last=Goswami|newspaper=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> [[Éric Ripert|Eric Ripert]], [[Bobby Flay]] and [[Jean-Georges Vongerichten]].

In 2020, he opened a restaurant called Ellora in [[Dubai]].<ref name=":0" />

==Television shows==
In 2011, Khanna hosted the second season of ''[[MasterChef India (season 2)|MasterChef India]]'', a series based on the original British version. He has been hosting all the seasons of the show since then. Khanna was invited as a guest judge on ''[[MasterChef Australia]]'' in Season 6.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/masterchef/photos/masterchef-india-pressure-test#2|title=MasterChef India Pressure Test|publisher=Network Ten|website=TenPlay - MasterChef India Pressure Test|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref>

He has hosted four seasons of the show ''Twist of Taste'' on [[Fox Life]].

Khanna was featured as a Consultant chef on the [[Gordon Ramsay]] TV series ''[[Kitchen Nightmares]]''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Dillons|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055693/|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>

Khanna appeared as a judge and an Indian-cuisine specialist on the two-part season finale of ''[[Hell's Kitchen (U.S. season 6)#Episode 14|Hell's Kitchen]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/10/14/hells-kitchen-season-finale-recap/|title='Hell's Kitchen' recap: The season finale|work=EW.com|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en}}</ref>

He has appeared on ''[[Throwdown! with Bobby Flay]]''<ref>{{Citation|last=VikasKhannaGroup|title=Vikas Khanna|date=2010-07-05|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hES9xRv2IEo|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> as a judge and as a guest chef on ''[[The Martha Stewart Show]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marthastewart.com/993942/fresh-roti-indian-bread-shrimp|title=Fresh Roti Indian Bread with Shrimp|work=marthastewart.com|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref>

==Film production==

Khanna has produced a documentary series named ''Holy Kitchens'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vkhanna.com/HolyKitchens.html|title=Holy Kitchens|website=vkhanna.com/HolyKitchens.html|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> which explores the bond between faith and food. The series has been showcased at Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and Oxford Universities and Film Festivals.

His documentary ''Kitchens of Gratitude'' was featured at [[Marché du Film|Marche du Film]] at the 69th [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/cannes-2016-chef-vikas-khanna-screens-documentary-on-food-1243370.html|title=Cannes 2016: Chef Vikas Khanna Screens Documentary on Food|work=News18|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>

His directorial debut ''[[The Last Color]]'' is a film about the daily struggles for survival on the streets of the ancient city of Banaras, India. The teaser of the film featuring veteran Indian actress [[Neena Gupta]] was released at the 71st [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/four-row-celebrity-chef-vikas-khanna-cannes-090603949.html|title=Four-in-a-row for celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna at Cannes.It has been also nominated for 'Best picture' by the Academy awards(Oscars).|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-IN}}</ref> The film made it to the final list of Oscar 2020 Eligibility for Best Film.

==Philanthropy==
Khanna launched the foundation "South Asian Kid's Infinite Vision" (SAKIV)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sakiv.org/|title=sakiv - Vikas Khanna Foundation|website=Sakiv.org|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> to focus on worldwide issues that demand urgent action such as Tsunami Relief, Hurricanes of the Gulf Coast, Haiti. In collaboration with charitable institutions, such as [[Save the Children]], the foundation has hosted many events worldwide - from [[The Great Pyramid of Giza]] in [[Egypt]] to the [[Taj Mahal]] in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sakiv.org/SoulofTaj.html|title=sakiv - Soul of Taj|website=Sakiv.org|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sakiv.org/PastEvents.html|title=sakiv - Past Events|website=Sakiv.org|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref>

In 2018 Vikas Khanna built the first Culinary museum of India at his alma mater Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal

"Cooking for Life" founded by Khanna in 2001 in New York along with the world's top chefs<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sakiv.org/Chefs.html|title=sakiv - Supporting Chefs|website=Sakiv.org|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> supports several social causes.

''Vision of Palate'' is his award-winning<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://sakiv.org/PastWorkshops.html|title=Past workshops|website=vkhanna.com|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> workshop developed to educate people with visual disabilities about the sense of taste, flavor and aromas.

On 14 May 2012, Khanna cooked for a fundraiser hosted for President Obama at the [[Rubin Museum of Art]] in [[New York City]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiawest.com/news/business/chef-prepares-meal-for-obama-to-kick-off-campaign/article_c4cd51c6-a59e-56cd-bdae-23a5c7d044fc.html|title=Chef Prepares Meal for Obama to Kick Off Campaign|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref>

Khanna is the goodwill ambassador for Smile Foundation and supports the cause of malnutrition in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/cookforsmile/|title=Cook for a Smile|website=Smile Foundation|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> He has pledged to raise 1 million US dollars for the same.

In April 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19]] global pandemic, he started a "Feed India" initiative which is backed by [[Pepsi]], India Gate, [[Quaker Oats Company|Quaker Oats]], [[Hyatt|Hyatt Regency]] and Global Funds for Widows and delivers food and supplies to those in need in India.<ref name=":0" />

==Awards and recognitions==
* Top 10 Chefs in the world by [[Deutsche Welle|Deutsche Welle News]] and Gazette Review.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/jamie-oliver-and-10-other-iconic-chefs/a-18843942|title=Jamie Oliver and 10 other iconic chefs|date=2015-11-11|website=Deutsche Welle|language=en|access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gazettereview.com/2017/04/top-10-chefs/|title=Top 10 Chefs In The World - The Best in 2018 - Gazette Review|last=Deml|first=Jessica|date=2017-04-22|work=Gazette Review|access-date=2018-11-26|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris causa) Degree by the G D Goenka University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gdgoenkauniversity.com/news-events/chef-vikas-khanna-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-g-d-goenka-university/|title=Chef Vikas Khanna receives honorary doctorate from G.D Goenka University|date=9 February 2018|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref>
* Doctorate in literature (Honoris causa) by D Y Patil University.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dypatil.edu/12th-convocation-ceremony-2018/|title=12th Convocation Ceremony 2018 - D. Y. Patil University|work=D. Y. Patil University|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[James Beard Foundation Award]] nomination for his book Return to the Rivers in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/complete-2014-jbf-award-nominees|title=The Complete 2014 JBF Award Nominees|website=www.jamesbeard.org|language=en|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>
* "Rising Star" Chef Award by Star Chefs for his role in shaping the future of American Cuisine(2011).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starchefs.com/cook/chefs/2011-new-york-rising-stars/chef-vikas-khanna|title=Chef Vikas Khanna of Junoon {{!}} StarChefs.com|website=www.starchefs.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>
* GQ India Man of the year 2012 by [[GQ Magazine]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/gq-men-year-2012-part-2/|title=GQ Men of the Year 2012 : Part 2|date=2012-10-29|work=GQ India|access-date=2018-11-27|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Featured in the list of Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine in November 2011.
* "Access to Freedom Award"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000805.html/|title=Rolling Rains Report:: Vikas Khanna Promotes Accessibility & Hospitality Worldwide|website=Rollingrains.com|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> in 2005 from [[SATH]].
* The Shining Star Award from "Just One Break, Inc."<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=http://www.vkhanna.com/documents/job.pdf|title=Archived copy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907114827/http://www.vkhanna.com/documents/job.pdf|archive-date=7 September 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-07-23|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* Proclamation from the [[New York City Council]] for his outstanding contribution to the city, and was chosen "New Yorker of the Week" by [[NY1]].
* Featured on the cover of Men's Health India Magazine in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://menshealth.intoday.in/story/chef-vikas-khanna-masterchef-india-new-york/1/117265.html|title=Cut, chisel, sizzle... : Cover Stories - Menshealth|website=menshealth.intoday.in|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>
* He was voted "New York's Hottest Chef" in a poll conducted by the New York ''Eater'' [[blog]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ny.eater.com/2011/2/16/6696719/junoons-vikas-khanna-is-new-yorks-hottest-chef|title=Junoon's Vikas Khanna is New York's Hottest Chef|work=Eater NY|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
1. ''Ayurveda'' - The Science of Food and Life

2. Mango Mia - Celebrating the tropical world of Mangoes

3. The Cuisine of Gandhi - Based on the beliefs of the Legend

4. The Spice Story of India

5. New York Chefs Cooking for Life

6. Modern Indian Cooking

7. Flavors First: An Indian Chef's Culinary Journey

8. My Great India Cookbook

9. Khanna Sutra: Food Lessons in Love

10. Everyone Can Cook

11. Savour Mumbai: A Culinary Journey Through India's Melting Pot

12. Young Chefs

13. Return to the Rivers - Recipes and Memories of the Himalayan River Valleys

14. Bliss of Spices - The Essence of Indian Kitchen

15. Hymns from the Soil ''-'' A Vegetarian Saga

16. Amritsar - Flavours of the Golden city

17. The Magic Rolling Pin

18. World Feast - My Favourite Kitchen

19. MasterChef India Cookbook

20. Shaken & Stirred - 101 non-alcoholic blends

21. Timeless Legacy - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

22. The Milk Moustache

23. ''UTSAV'' - A Culinary Epic of Indian Festivals

24. Indian Harvest - Classic and Contemporary Vegetarian Dishes

25. Essence of Seasoning - My All Time Favorite Recipes

26. Mocktails, Punches, and Shrubs

27. My First Kitchen

28. A Tree Named Ganga

29. POEATRY - Poems from the heart of farms and a kitchen

30. ''PÃTRA'' - Heritage of the Indian Kitchen

31. The Last Color

32. The Wholesome Grain

33. Pilgrim's Flavors

34. Ceremony of Aromas

35. Magic of Slow Cooking

36. Ganesha and Friends

==See also==
*[[Indians in the New York City metropolitan region]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Vikas Khanna}}
* {{official website|vkhanna.com/}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khanna, Vikas}}
[[Category:American chefs]]
[[Category:Indian chefs]]
[[Category:Indian food writers]]
[[Category:Artists from Amritsar]]
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Chefs of Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Head chefs of Michelin starred restaurants]]
[[Category:People from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Manipal Academy of Higher Education alumni]]
[[Category:Asia Game Changer Award winners]]

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Vikas Khanna