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{{short description|Indian-born Canadian chef}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Vikram Vij
| image = Vikram Vij at book launch.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Vij in 2010
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1964|12}}
| birth_place = [[Amritsar]], Punjab, India | death_date = 
| death_place =
| partner =
| nationality =
| other_names =
| known_for = [[Vij's]] and Rangoli, [[Vancouver]] and My Shanti [[South Surrey]], [[British Columbia|BC]] | occupation = Restaurateur, chef, cookbook author }}

'''Vikram Vij''' (born 1964)<ref name="star">{{Cite web |last=starchefs.com |title=Vikram Vij - Biography at StarChefs.com |url=http://www.starchefs.com/cook/chefs/bio/vikram-vij |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145136/http://www.starchefs.com/cook/chefs/bio/vikram-vij |archive-date=2014-04-13 |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=www.starchefs.com |language=en}}</ref> is an Indian-born Canadian chef, cookbook author, and television personality. He is the owner, of the [[Indian cuisine]] restaurants [[Vij's]] and Rangoli Restaurant in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]].<ref>[https://nationalpost.com/life/Insider+Guide+Vancouver/1690295/story.html "The Insider's Guide: Vikram Vij takes you through Vancouver"]{{dead link|date=October 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''[[National Post]]'', June 13, 2009.</ref><ref name="nytimes">[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/magazine/07food-t-000.html?_r=4&ref=dining "The Cheat: The Greens Party"], ''[[New York Times]]'', November 3, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=5424627&page=1#.T8O3K8Ut11E "Bug Appetit! Insects as Ingredients"], ''[[Nightline]]'', July 23, 2008.</ref> He also owns My Shanti, a restaurant in South Surrey, British Columbia, which he closed in 2024. In 2014, Vij was announced as a new "dragon" investor on the Canadian reality show ''[[Dragons' Den (Canadian TV series)|Dragons' Den]]'' for its ninth season and departed at the end of the season.<ref name="Season 9 replacements">{{cite web|url=http://business.financialpost.com/2014/03/14/dragons-dens-bruce-croxon-on-his-favourite-deals-why-hes-leaving-the-den-and-whats-next/?__lsa=91ad-0504|title=Dragons' Den's Bruce Croxon on his favourite deals, why he's leaving the Den and what's next|last=Bitti|first=Mary Teresa|work=business.financialpost.com|date=March 14, 2014|access-date=March 14, 2014}}</ref>

Vikram Vij grew up in India in [[Amritsar]], Delhi and [[Bombay]].<ref name="tstar">{{Cite web |title=TheStar.com {{!}} NorthAmerica {{!}} Vancouver chef reinvents Indian food |url=https://www.thestar.com/Travel/NorthAmerica/article/689484 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906112916/https://www.thestar.com/Travel/NorthAmerica/article/689484 |archive-date=2009-09-06 |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=www.thestar.com}}</ref> In 1983, he left India to study Hotel/Motel Management in [[Salzburg]], Austria.<ref name=gb08>{{cite news |title=Cooking Indian? Ask Chef Vikram Vij |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article694760.ece |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=Jun 25, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="dmpi">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmpibooks.com/author/vikram-vij
|title=Vikram Vij |publisher=D & M Publishers |access-date=July 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921012338/http://www.dmpibooks.com/author/vikram-vij|archive-date=2010-09-21}}
</ref> While there he received his chef's training.<ref name="tsun">{{cite web|author=Rita DeMontis ,Toronto Sun |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/27/vijs-vision/ |title=Vij's vision | Eat | Life |publisher=Toronto Sun |date= 2012-03-27|access-date=2013-05-30}}</ref> Vij later became a certified [[sommelier]].<ref name="darpan">{{cite web |url=http://www.darpanmagazine.com/2010/07/the-authentic-vikram-vij/ |title=The Authentic Vikram Vij |last=Scott |first=C.G. |date=July 2010 |work=Darpan Magazine |access-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829042918/http://www.darpanmagazine.com/2010/07/the-authentic-vikram-vij/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Career==
After working in Salzburg and Vienna for a few years, Vij moved to Canada in 1989, when he joined the [[Banff Springs Hotel]], Alberta, Canada. From 1992 until 1994, Vij worked at Bishop's restaurant in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, for prominent Canadian chef John Bishop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://enroute.aircanada.com/en/articles/a-conversation-with-chef-vikram-vij |title=A Conversation with Chef Vikram Vij |date=Oct 31, 2008 |work=enRoute |publisher=Air Canada enRoute |access-date=Jul 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506075959/http://enroute.aircanada.com/en/articles/a-conversation-with-chef-vikram-vij|archive-date=2014-05-06}}</ref><ref name="bcrhof">{{cite web |url=http://www.bcrhof.com/bio_VikramVij_2008.php |title=Active Restaurateur: Vikram Vij |last=Scharien |first=Jessica |work=British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame |access-date=July 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506213847/http://www.bcrhof.com/bio_VikramVij_2008.php|archive-date=2008-05-06}}</ref>

Eventually in 1994, at the age of 30 he opened a fine-dining restaurant, [[Vij's]], in Vancouver.<ref name=star/><ref name=gb08/> In the early days his parents would make the curry at their home and deliver it by bus to the restaurant.<ref name="tstar"/><ref name="canada.com">[https://archive.today/20120721142702/http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=52467af8-26a0-4d74-b3dd-96a4928afd21&sponsor= "Flavours of Vij's excellent adventure"], ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'', September 20, 2006.</ref> By 2003, [[Mark Bittman]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' was praising Vij's Restaurant as "easily among the finest Indian restaurants in the world".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/08/travel/journeys-36-hours-vancouver-british-columbia.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=JOURNEYS; 36 Hours - Vancouver, British Columbia |last=Bittman |first=Mark |date=Aug 8, 2003 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 26, 2008}}</ref><ref name="dailydish">{{cite web|url=http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/aprons-icons/2011/03/11/qa-with-vikram-vij-the-celebrated-vancouver-chef-on-his-successes-and-why-he-won%E2%80%99t-open-a-restaurant-in-toronto/ |title=Q&A with Vikram Vij: the celebrated Vancouver chef on his successes and why he won't open a restaurant in Toronto |last=Suen |first=Renée |date=Mar 11, 2011 |work=Toronto Life |access-date=Jul 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531041732/http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/aprons-icons/2011/03/11/qa-with-vikram-vij-the-celebrated-vancouver-chef-on-his-successes-and-why-he-won%E2%80%99t-open-a-restaurant-in-toronto/ |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

A decade later in 2004, Vij opened a second restaurant and market, the casual-style Rangoli.<ref name=star/><ref name=gb08/><ref name="financial">{{cite web |url=http://business.financialpost.com/2012/02/06/pacific-region-entrepreneur-of-the-year/ |title=Pacific Region Entrepreneur of the Year |date=Feb 6, 2012 |work=Financial Post |access-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref> Rangoli sells their line of pre-packaged gourmet curries named "Vij's Inspired Indian Cuisine".<ref name="Vij's Vision">{{cite news |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/27/vijs-vision/ |title=Vij's Vision |last=Demontis |first=Rita |date=Mar 27, 2012 |newspaper=Toronto Sun |access-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref> In 2011, Vij completed and opened a food processing facility to better meet retailer interest in the product line.<ref name="financial"/><ref name="SurreyNow">{{cite web |url=http://www.thenownewspaper.com/life/Celebrated+chef+gets+cooking+Surrey/5051725/story.html |title=Celebrated chef gets cooking in Surrey |work=The Now, Surrey Now |access-date=July 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709091314/http://www.thenownewspaper.com/life/Celebrated+chef+gets+cooking+Surrey/5051725/story.html |archive-date=July 9, 2011 }}</ref> The product line is sold in grocery stores across Canada.<ref name="SurreyNow"/> Foods produced at the facility are also sold at food service sites such as Whistler Mountain, Loblaws City Markets and more.

Vij has two cookbooks, Nine Candid Minutes With Star Chef & Restaurateur Vikram Vij.<ref name="Elegant">{{cite book |title=Vij's: Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine |last=Vij |first=Vikram |author-link=Vikram Vij |first2=Meeru |last2=Dhalwala |year=2006 |publisher= Douglas & McIntyre, D&M Publishers Inc. |location=Vancouver, Toronto, Berkeley |isbn=978-1-55365-184-0 }}</ref><ref name="honey">{{cite book |title=Vij's at Home: Relax, Honey |last=Vij |first=Vikram |author-link=Vikram Vij |first2=Meeru |last2=Dhalwala |year=2010 |publisher=Douglas & McIntyre |location=Vancouver |isbn=978-1-55365-572-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781553655725 }}</ref> They published ''Vij's: Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine'' in 2006,<ref name=Elegant/> which won several awards in 2007, including Cuisine Canada's Gold Award for Best Cookbook and Cordon d'Or Gold Ribbon International Cookbook Award.<ref name="dmpi"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dmpibooks.com/event/30 |title=Indian Cuisine at the Top of the List |date=Nov 5, 2007 |publisher=D & M Publishers |access-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126124439/http://www.dmpibooks.com/event/30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2010, he published ''Vij's at Home: Relax Honey'',<ref name=honey/> which placed second in the Best Indian Cuisine Book in the World category at the 2010 [[Gourmand World Cookbook Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dmpibooks.com/event/265 |title=Vij's At Home Wins Silver at Gourmand World Cookbook Awards |publisher=D & M Publishers Inc. |access-date=July 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025101650/http://www.dmpibooks.com/event/265|archive-date=2012-10-25}}</ref> Vij has been an ongoing contributor to ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' since November 28, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/vikram-vij-you-say-bastardization-i-say-evolution/article1090370/|title= Vikram Vij: You say bastardization, I say evolution |last=Vij |first=Vikram |date=Oct 28, 2007 |work=Globe and Mail |access-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref> Vikram Vij is working on a new Vijs Restaurant 2025 cookbook with his partner Jaan.

In 2012, Vij's Railway Express was launched onto the streets of Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sheridan|first1=Mary|title=Vancouver Food Trucks: Vij's Railway Express|url=http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2012/06/vijs-food-cart-vancouver-railway-express/|website=www.VancityBuzz.com|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618225003/http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2012/06/vijs-food-cart-vancouver-railway-express/|archive-date=2012-06-18}}</ref> It is a mobile food truck serving Indian curries to people in downtown Vancouver for weekday lunch and at private catering events.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vikram|first1=Vij|title=Vijs Railway Express|url=http://www.vijsrailwayexpress.com/|website=www.vijsrailwayexpress.com|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622032231/http://www.vijsrailwayexpress.com/|archive-date=2012-06-22}}</ref>

Vij opened another restaurant, My Shanti, based in South Surrey, in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=OmniTV|url=http://www.omnitv.ca/bc/pa/videos/3642726165001/|access-date=30 January 2015|date=June 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122600/http://www.omnitv.ca/bc/pa/videos/3642726165001/|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> My Shanti means "my peace" and the menu is based on Vij's culinary travels, and includes flavours, ingredients and influences from all over the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vikram Vij To Open Surrey Restaurant, My Shanti|url=http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/03/vikram-vij-surrey-restaurant-my-shanti/|access-date=30 January 2015|work=Vancity Buzz|date=June 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328201849/http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/03/vikram-vij-surrey-restaurant-my-shanti/|archive-date=2014-03-28}}</ref> My Shanti won Vancouver Magazine's Best Indian Restaurant in 2016. In November 2023, Vikram Vij and the management team announced the closure of My Shanti after nearly ten years of operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CzDGkForO9w/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== |website=Instagram |access-date=6 November 2023 |title=Instagram }}</ref>

The Rangoli location on South Granville closed in May 2020, and the menu was consolidated with Vij's on Cambie due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vij's Rangoli shuts operations in South Granville after 16 years {{!}} Dished|url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vijs-rangoli-moving-operations|access-date=2020-09-27|website=dailyhive.com|date=23 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Culinary philosophy==
Chef Vikram Vij's culinary philosophy has been described as "keeping spices and cooking techniques Indian, while using meats, seafood and produce that are locally available."<ref name="Vij's Vision"/> Vij has asserted that his cuisine should not be labeled [[fusion cuisine]] as the techniques and spices used are traditional to India. Vij advocates sustainability in his kitchen practices and ingredient selection.<ref name="darpan"/> Two of their restaurants are known to have an all female kitchen staff.<ref name="nytimes"/><ref name="canada.com"/>

==Personal life==
Vikram has been in a relationship since his divorce. Vij divorced from his first wife in 2015. He enjoys travel, food, and wine tours, with two upcoming tours scheduled this year. Noted for his wine expertise, he has been featured in Sharp Magazine as a sommelier. Vikram Vij lives happily in Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/restaurant-reviews/vijs-patio-is-casual-yet-excellent-if-only-its-namesake-was-around-too/article31089978/ |title = Vij's Patio is casual yet excellent. If only its namesake was around too}}</ref>

==Notable career milestones==
Vij's Restaurant was one of the twenty featured restaurants at the [[James Beard]] Annual Gala Awards 1998, in [[New York City]], and was invited to prepare dinner at the James Beard House. In 2001, Vij was invited to be a member of the prestigious gastronomic society [[Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs]].<ref name="bcrhof"/> In April 2012, Vij participated in the second annual Varli Food Festival at the [[Metropolitan Pavilion]] in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, which was hosted by Top Chef's [[Padma Lakshmi]] and Indian celebrity chef [[Sanjeev Kapoor]]. More than 2,000 attended the festival to sample cuisine from the 60 high-profile Indian chefs including Vij.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/at-the-varli-food-festival-andhra-shrimp-and-halwa-cupcakes/ |title=At the Varli Food Festival, Andhra Shrimp and Halwa Cupcakes |last=Shivani |first=Vora |date=Apr 10, 2012 |work=New York Times Global Edition |access-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref>

Vij's restaurants have received numerous local awards including those from ''[[Vancouver Magazine]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s restaurant awards.<ref name="darpan"/><ref name="bcrhof"/> In 1999, Vij's Restaurant was listed in the top five Vancouver restaurants in [[Gourmet (magazine)|''Gourmet'' magazine]]'s annual restaurant awards, as well as receiving Chef of the Year from Vancouver Magazine in 2015.<ref name="bcrhof"/> Vij himself received an [[Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award|Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award]] for the Pacific region in hospitality and tourism in 2011.<ref name="financial"/>

Vij's Restaurant has been featured in a variety of North American television broadcasts and publications, including [[Flavour Network|Food Network Canada]], [[CNN]], ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Washington Post]]'', ''[[Travel + Leisure]]'', ''[[Food & Wine]]'', ''[[Bon Appétit]]'', [[Sunset (magazine)|''Sunset'' magazine]], and ''Art Culinaire''.<ref name="bcrhof"/> [[Omni Television]] made a documentary titled ''A Day In The Life of… Vij's'', giving an intimate portrait of Vij and Dhalwala, and a behind the scene look at Vij's Restaurant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omnibc.ca/programming/languagedocs/details.php?id=95 |title=A Day In The Life Of... Vij's |work=OMNI |publisher=Rogers Communications |type=documentary |access-date=July 26, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Vij was featured on ''At the Table With'', a [[Flavour Network|Food Network Canada]] series, in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foodnetwork.ca/ontv/shows/At-The-Table-With/episode.html?titleid=111987&episodeid=115489 |title=At the Table With…Vikram Vij |work=FoodNetwork.ca |publisher=Shaw Media Inc. |type=television series |access-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402124216/http://www.foodnetwork.ca/ontv/shows/at-the-table-with/episode.html?titleid=111987&episodeid=115489 |archive-date=April 2, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1961949/
|title=At the Table with…Vikram Vij |date=Oct 21, 2008 |work=IMDb |type=data base |access-date=July 26, 2012}}
</ref> The same year Vij's Rangoli was a subject of [[Anthony Bourdain]]'s ''[[Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations|No Reservations]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.film.com/tv/no-reservations-bourdains-vancouver-is-a-cool-city |title=No Reservations: Bourdain's Vancouver is a Cool City |last=Hinkel |first=Joanne |date=Jan 23, 2008 |work=Film.com |publisher=MTV Networks |access-date=July 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405173127/http://www.film.com/tv/no-reservations-bourdains-vancouver-is-a-cool-city|archive-date=2011-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/anthony-bourdain/episodes/vancouver |title=Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Vancouver |work=Travel Channel |type=television series |access-date=July 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117095653/http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/anthony-bourdain/episodes/vancouver|archive-date=2011-11-17}}</ref> Vij made his famous lamb popsicles for [[Giada De Laurentiis]] when she visited Vij's Restaurant on her [[Food Network]] series ''[[Giada's Weekend Getaways]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.foodnetwork.com/giadas-weekend-getaways/vancouver/index.html |title=Giada's Weekend Getaways:Vancouver |work=FoodNetwork.com |type=television series |access-date=July 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110330120253/http://www.foodnetwork.com/giadas-weekend-getaways/vancouver/index.html|archive-date=2011-03-30}}</ref> Vij was a guest judge on ''[[Top Chef Canada]]'' in 2011, and was invited back for the 2012 season.<ref name="Vij's Vision"/> He was also the guest of honour in a 2013 Top Chef Canada episode dedicated to Indian cuisine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Chef Canada to Feature Vikram Vij & Indian Cuisine|url=http://www.curvecommunications.com/2013/05/top-chef-canada-to-feature-vikram-vij-indian-cuisine/|website=Curve Communications|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152713/http://www.curvecommunications.com/2013/05/top-chef-canada-to-feature-vikram-vij-indian-cuisine/|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> That episode also featured the Vij's At Home packaged foods, which were sampled by the contestants. He was also a judge on the first ever Chopped Canada show, which premiered on Food Network Canada in January 2014 and he appeared weekly on CBC's Recipe to Riches, which began in February 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jermyn|first1=Diane|title=Vikram Vij: 'I have to learn to calm down if something isn't perfect'|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/success-stories/vikram-vij-dont-run-after-money-or-fame-do-what-youre-passionate-about/article17588837/?page=all|access-date=30 January 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|date=March 21, 2014}}</ref>

In June 2011, the BC Food Processors Association honoured Vij with the Rising Star Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Competitor Awarded BC Food Processors Association Rising Star Award|url=http://www.newventuresbc.com/2014/07/tait-labs-awarded-rising-star-award/|website=New Ventures BC|access-date=30 January 2015|date=2014-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714092620/http://www.newventuresbc.com/2014/07/tait-labs-awarded-rising-star-award/|archive-date=2014-07-14}}</ref> Vij's Railway Express, based on the chef's travels by rail throughout India, was awarded the inaugural People's Choice Award from Air Canada's enRoute Magazine, as Canada's Best New Restaurant in 2013.<ref name="The People's Choice Awards">{{cite web|title=The People's Choice Awards|url=http://enroute.aircanada.com/canadas-best-new-restaurants-2013/winner/|website=Enroute Air Canada|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031115217/http://enroute.aircanada.com/canadas-best-new-restaurants-2013/winner/|archive-date=2013-10-31}}</ref>

In March 2013, Vij hosted the world's first ever live-streamed cook-along, Cook Live With Vikram Vij. As part of Vij's goal, to make Indian cuisine accessible to all, people were encouraged to join him live online and cook a family meal at the same time, taking instruction from an award-winning chef. They were able to Tweet questions and photos as the curry was being prepared.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stella|title=Cook Live with Vikram Vij|url=http://www.foodjunkiechronicles.net/2013/02/cook-live-with-vikram-vij.html|website=Food Junkie Chronicles}}</ref>

My Shanti was listed as number one in the Globe and Mail's Top 10 New Vancouver Restaurants of 2014<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gill|first1=Alexandra|title=Top 10 new Vancouver restaurants of 2014|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/restaurant-reviews/top-10-vancouver-restaurants-of-2014/article22038072/|access-date=30 January 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|date=Dec 12, 2014}}</ref> and one of the Vancouver Sun's Best New Restaurants for 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stainsby|first1=Mia|title=Weekend extra: Surrey's My Shanti sparkles among new restaurants for 2014|url=https://vancouversun.com/life/Weekend+extra+Surrey+Shanti+sparkles+among+restaurants+2014/10715716/story.html|access-date=30 January 2015|work=Vancouver Sun|date=January 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117042234/https://vancouversun.com/life/Weekend+extra+Surrey+Shanti+sparkles+among+restaurants+2014/10715716/story.html|archive-date=2015-01-17}}</ref> My Shanti also won Vancouver Magazine's Best Indian Restaurant in 2016.

Within weeks of opening, My Shanti received a nomination from Air Canada's ''enRoute Magazine'' as one of Canada's Best New Restaurants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eatandvote.com/|title=Peoples Choice Awards|website=Eat and Vote|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808231319/http://eatandvote.com/|archive-date=2013-08-08}}</ref> It is the second year in a row a Vij's establishment has been nominated, having won the People's Choice award in 2013 with Vij's Railway Express.<ref name="The People's Choice Awards"/>

In October 2014, Vij made his debut as a Dragon on CBC's ''[[Dragons' Den (Canadian TV series)|Dragons' Den]]'' and departed at the end of the season. He took his place in the Den alongside entrepreneurs [[Jim Treliving]], [[Arlene Dickinson]], [[David Chilton (businessman)|David Chilton]] and [[Michael Wekerle]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lederman|first1=Marsha|title=Out of the kitchen and into the Dragons' Den for Vikram Vij|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/food-trends/out-of-the-kitchen-and-into-the-dragons-den-for-vikram-vij/article21089804/|access-date=30 January 2015|work=The Glove and Mail|date=Oct 14, 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, Vij was one of the recipients of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards presented by [[Canadian immigrant magazine|Canadian Immigrant Magazine]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canadas Top 25 Immigrants 2015|url=https://canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/canadas-top-25-immigrants-2015|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Canadian Immigrant|language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2015, Vikram Vij was awarded honorary Doctorates of Law by Simon Fraser University and in May 2016 they were honoured to receive honorary Doctorates of Law from the University of British Columbia.<ref name="The Georgia Straight">{{Cite web | url=https://www.straight.com/blogra/471146/judy-graves-dons-cap-and-gown-after-lifetime-service-city |title = Judy Graves dons a cap and gown after a lifetime of service to the city|date = 2015-06-15}}</ref>

==Advocacy and industry contribution==
Vij is a passionate supporter of the [[sustainable food systems|sustainable food]] industry. He has championed many causes such as the [[Vancouver Aquarium]]'s Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program.<ref name="Vij's Vision"/> He has been involved with Farm Folk City Folk and was past president and active member of The Chef's Table Society of British Columbia. He is also part of the Green Table Society<ref name="Vij's Vision"/> and is involved in UBC Farm fundraisers. Vij's dedication to the work done at UBC resulted in the funding and opening of Vij's Kitchen, a state-of-the-art culinary learning facility at the University of British Columbia, dedicated to teaching the chefs and nutritionists of the future about ethnic food and cuisine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikram Vij launches 'Vij's Kitchen' at University of British Columbia|url=http://www.restaurantcentral.ca/VikramVijVijsKitchen.aspx|website=Restaurant Central|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131940/http://www.restaurantcentral.ca/VikramVijVijsKitchen.aspx|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> In 2010, Vij and fellow British Columbian chef, Robert Clark, spearheaded the 2nd Canadian Chefs' Congress on [[Vancouver Island]], [[British Columbia]], with the theme of "Oceans for Tomorrow".<ref name="dmpi"/> Vikram Vij has been donating to the Women's Eastside Vancouver Shelter because it is such an incredible cause. Vij is active in the Vancouver, Indo-Canadian arts and cultural community. He was a special guest and host at the 2011 Indian Summer Festival.<ref name="SurreyNow"/><ref name="flavour">{{cite web |url=https://vancouversun.com/life/Vikram+ready+share+flavours+India+Indian+Summer+festival/5054768/story.html|title= Vikram Vij ready to share the flavours of India at Indian Summer festival |last=Stainsby |first=Mia |date=Jul 5, 2011 |work=Vancouver Sun |access-date=July 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713201906/https://vancouversun.com/life/Vikram+ready+share+flavours+India+Indian+Summer+festival/5054768/story.html|archive-date=2011-07-13}}</ref> The festival was a celebration of the Indian community's cultural contributions, the 125th anniversary of Vancouver, and the federal government's declaration of 2011 as "The Year of India in Canada".<ref name="SurreyNow"/><ref name="flavour"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://vimeo.com/26284847 |title= Vikram Vij & Indian Summer Festival featured on Global BC - Weekend Morning News |last=Murray |first=Laura |work=Vimeo |access-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref> At the event he partnered with percussionist [[Ashwin Sood]], blending the sounds and flavours of India.<ref name="flavour"/> In 2012, Vij again was featured in the festival, this time leading a "culinary tour of India" at the opening gala.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.theprovince.com/2012/07/06/indian-summer-celebrations/ |title= Indian Summer Celebrations |last=Tales from a Bar Stool |date=Jul 6, 2012 |work=The Province |access-date=July 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708001714/http://blogs.theprovince.com/2012/07/06/indian-summer-celebrations/|archive-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> In addition, Vij supports the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society. He hosted the organization's "Storyteller's Gala", held at the [[Museum of Vancouver]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianjournal.ca/sep%2023_11/ot_head6.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120200804/http://www.asianjournal.ca/sep%2023_11/ot_head6.html |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |title=Vibc Society's Fundraising Gala To Be Hosted By Indian Cuisine Chef Vikram Vij |date=Sep 23, 2007 |work=Asian Journal |access-date=July 26, 2012 }}</ref> Vij has twice led small groups on educational food trips to India, which involved visiting homes of local cooks and chefs. He led the tour in northern India the first year, southern India the second.<ref name="flavour"/>

==Bibliography==
* ''Vij's: Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine''. Douglas & McIntyre, 2006. {{ISBN|1-55365-184-7}}.
* ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=_tSDXV2ay_wC Vij's at Home: Relax, Honey: The Warmth and Ease of Indian Cooking]''. Douglas & McIntyre, 2011. {{ISBN|1-55365-572-9}}.
* ''Vij A Chef's One-way Ticket to Canada With Indian Spices in His Suitcase.'' Penguin Canada, 2017 {{ISBN|978-0-670-06950-7}}.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110531041732/http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/aprons-icons/2011/03/11/qa-with-vikram-vij-the-celebrated-vancouver-chef-on-his-successes-and-why-he-won%E2%80%99t-open-a-restaurant-in-toronto/ Q&A with Vikram Vij: the celebrated Vancouver chef.] ''[[Toronto Life]]''

==External links==
* [http://www.vijs.ca/ Vij's website]
* {{IMDb name |3445375}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vij, Vikram}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Vancouver]]
[[Category:Canadian restaurateurs]]
[[Category:Canadian television chefs]]
[[Category:Chefs of Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Canadian cookbook writers]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to Canada]]
[[Category:Participants in Canadian reality television series]]
[[Category:Writers from Vancouver]]
[[Category:Canadian venture capitalists]]
[[Category:Indian chefs]]
[[Category:Chefs from Vancouver]]
[[Category:Dragons' Den]]

Vikram Vij - Revision history

NoeMacmillan574: added first entry v1.