Vikas Khanna

Vikas Khanna
Vikas Khanna
Born	1971; Amritsar, Punjab, India
Occupation(s)	Chef, restaurateur, author, filmmaker
Known for	Michelin-starred chef, judge on MasterChef India
Notable work	Utsav (cookbook), The Last Color (film)

Vikas Khanna (born 1971) is an Indian-American chef renowned for holding a Michelin star, as well as being a restaurateur, author of cookbooks, and filmmaker. He has served as a judge on MasterChef India since the show began.

Early life and education

Originating from Amritsar, Punjab, India, Khanna grew up in a Punjabi household. He faced challenges due to a leg deformity that restricted his movement until he was 13 years old. Khanna completed his education at St. Francis School in Amritsar. In 1991, he earned a hotel management degree from Manipal Academy of Higher Education and pursued further studies at the Culinary Institute of America and New York University. Additionally, he has been conferred an honorary doctorate by GD Goenka University.

Career

Khanna’s early professional experience in India included roles at major hotel chains such as Taj Hotels, Oberoi group, Welcome group, and Leela Group of Hotels. Upon moving to New York, he worked at Salaam Bombay and The Café located within the Rubin Museum of Art. He later joined Junoon, an upscale Indian dining establishment situated in Manhattan’s Flatiron district.

Broadening his global footprint, Khanna inaugurated Kinara in Dubai in 2019 and followed with Ellora in 2020. In 2024, he introduced Bungalow in New York City’s East Village neighborhood. He has penned more than 40 cookbooks; his notable work Utsav gained recognition as the world’s priciest cookbook at auction. Beyond his culinary ventures, Khanna acts as a goodwill ambassador for the Smile Foundation, promoting nutrition programs across India.

Television shows

Since 2011, Khanna has been the host for seven seasons (seasons 2 through 8) of MasterChef India, adapted from the British series. He has remained the show's sole consistent host throughout its run. His television presence also includes guest judging on MasterChef Australia Season 6 and providing consultancy as a chef on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, where he assisted the struggling Indian restaurant Purnima. Furthermore, he participated as a judge specializing in Indian cuisine during the two-part finale of Hell's Kitchen Season 6.

Film production

Khanna’s documentary Kitchens of Gratitude was screened at the Marche du Film during the 69th Cannes Film Festival. His first feature film as director, The Last Color, which delves into survival themes set in Banaras, India, received critical praise and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Recognition

Recognized among the Top 10 Chefs worldwide by Deutsche Welle News and Gazette Review.
Awarded honorary Doctor of Philosophy by G D Goenka University and Doctorate in Literature from D Y Patil University.
Received a James Beard Foundation Award nomination in 2014 for his book Return to the Rivers.
Honored with the "Rising Star" Chef Award by Star Chefs in 2011 for his impact on American cuisine.
Named GQ India Man of the Year in 2012.
Recipient of the Shining Star Award from Just One Break, Inc.
Featured on Men's Health India’s cover in 2012.
Voted "New York's Hottest Chef" by readers of New York Eater.
His New York-based restaurant “Bungalow” earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand award for 2024.

External links

Vikas Khanna | Filmmaker, Author, Producer