Vikas Khanna Wiki, Biography, Net worth, Early Life, Career, Family Details
Vikas Khanna is a Michelin-starred chef who has gained international recognition for his culinary expertise. Vikas Khanna was born in Amritsar, Punjab, India, and has gained worldwide recognition in the realm of fine dining. Here’s everything you need to know about Chef Vikas Khanna.
Who is Vikas Khanna?
Chef Vikas Khanna has earned Michelin stars and is also a restaurateur, author of cookbooks, director of documentaries, and humanitarian. His parents, Davinder and Bindu Khanna gave birth to him on November 14th, 1971, in Amritsar, Punjab. Vikas had a limb abnormality from birth that made it impossible for him to run till he was 13 years old. Chef Vikas Khanna has said that his grandmother, Biji, was a major influence on his career choice.
Vikas Khanna’s Family
Vikas Khanna was born into a Punjabi family in Amritsar, India. His father was a hobbyist cook, and his grandmother was a significant influence on his culinary journey. Although Chef Vikas Khanna’s father, Davinder, has passed away, his mother, Bindu, has been his rock throughout his life. His older brother’s name is Nishant, and he had a sister named Radhika who died of organ failure in 2022. Chef Vikas Khanna is single and childless at the present time. But his dog, Plum, is his best friend.
Educational Qualification of Vikas Khanna
Chef Vikas Khanna completed his schooling at St. Francis School in Amritsar. He pursued his graduation from the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, which is a part of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and graduated in the year 1991. Apart from this, he also studied at the Culinary Institute of America and New York University.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the culinary arts, philanthropy, altruism, humanitarianism, and global reach as a chef, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by GD Goenka University.
Career of Vikas Khanna
Vikas Khanna had a passion for cooking from a young age and began developing recipes early on. At the age of 17, he started his own business called Lawrence Gardens Banquets, which hosted weddings and family functions. He worked for well-known hotel groups like the Taj Hotels, Oberoi Group, Welcome Group, and Leela Group of Hotels before moving to the United States.
Khanna worked at various restaurants in the US, including Salaam Bombay and The Café at the Rubin Museum of Art, before joining Junoon, an upscale Indian restaurant in New York. He has collaborated with many renowned chefs, such as Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Chef Vikas Khanna is well-known for his contributions to multiple cooking shows on television. He has been a judge on Master Chef India and Twist of Taste on Fox Life. Khanna has also been a part of popular international shows like Kitchen Nightmares, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Martha Stewart Show.
Vikas Khanna has published 39 books, many of which have been bestsellers, in addition to his many television appearances. Some of his most popular books include Sacred Foods of India, Barefoot Empress, My First Kitchen, and Mango Mia: Celebrating the Tropical World of Mangoes, among others.
Net Worth of Vikas Khanna
Chef Vikas Khanna is a successful restaurateur who owns multiple restaurants and has also invested in various start-ups. As per sources, his net worth is estimated to be somewhere between INR 80 to 120 crores.
Awards & Recognitions received by Vikas Khanna
Chef Vikas Khanna has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including the James Beard Foundation Awards, recognition as one of the Top 10 Chefs in the World by Deutsche Welle News, honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Doctorate in Literature degrees, the Rising Star Chef Award, GQ India’s Man of the Year 2012, and People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive award in November 2011.
Other ventures by Vikas Khanna
In addition to his many other accomplishments, Chef Vikas Khanna is well-known for his culinary expertise. Among his many cookbooks are “My Great India Cookbook” and “Flavors First: An Indian Chef’s Gourmet Adventure.” Kitchens of Gratitude” and “The Final Color” are only two of the films that Vikas has directed and produced. He also does a lot of charity work, particularly to help people who have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FAQ about Vikas Khanna
Here are some frequently asked questions about Vikas Khanna.
- What is Vikas Khanna's background?
Vikas Khanna was born in Amritsar, India, in 1971. He grew up in a middle-class Punjabi family and learned to cook from his grandmother.
- What are Vikas Khanna's notable achievements?
Among Vikas Khanna's many triumphs is the awarding of a Michelin star to his New York City restaurant Junoon. The Varieties of Spice, My Great India Cookbook, and UTSAV: A Culinary Epic of Indian Festivals are just a few of the cookbooks he has written. In addition, you may have seen him in his judging capacity on such shows as MasterChef India and MasterChef Australia.
- What are some of Vikas Khanna's famous dishes?
Chef Vikas Khanna is well-known for putting a unique spin on traditional Indian dishes. Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs, Piri Piri Chicken with Coriander Mint Chutney, and Tandoori Lamb Chops with Minted Yogurt are just a few of his well-known creations.
- What is Vikas Khanna's philanthropic work?
Vikas Khanna's Feed India program attempts to provide food to people in India who have been impacted by the recent COVID-19 outbreak. He has started an organization that helps young cooks of South Asian heritage find work, the South Asian Chef Association (SACA).
- Has Vikas Khanna won any awards?
In addition to the Michelin star for his restaurant Junoon, Vikas Khanna has been honored with the “Pride of India Award” by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Business and Industry for his contributions to Indian cuisine (FICCI).