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By Yoshita Singh & Prof. Indrajit Saluja
Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna is an inspiration not just in the culinary world and in the immigrant community but to a global audience.
A chef, restaurateur, author, film maker and philanthropist, Khanna has through sheer hard work, perseverance and determination carved a niche and name for himself on the global stage. And through all this, he has maintained a level of humility and humbleness that is praised by all and worthy of emulation.
This year, he was named among the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine.
The TIME profile for Khanna describes him as a “man of extraordinary heart.
“His generosity extends far beyond the kitchen, reaching communities across the world with compassion, dignity, and a deep sense of responsibility. What makes Vikas so unique is his ability to connect with people from every walk of life, using food as a universal language to build bridges and foster understanding,” James Beard Award–winning chef and co-owner of Le Bernardin Eric Ripert wrote in the TIME profile for Khanna.
Khanna carries his culture with “immense pride”, sharing the richness of Indian traditions while making them accessible and meaningful to a global audience.
“With Bungalow, he has created more than a restaurant—it is a living expression of storytelling. Each dish reflects memory, heritage, and the collective voice of his team, giving space to narratives that deserve to be heard,” the profile said, referring to Khanna’s popular New York City restaurant.
Khanna “reminds us that true influence is measured not only by success, but also by how deeply we uplift and connect with others,” Ripert said.
In another historic recognition, Khanna was honored by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul for outstanding contributions to culinary excellence.
Khanna has been honored for his “outstanding contributions” and inspiring commitment to artistic and culinary excellence during ongoing commemoration of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, making him the first Indian in the history of New York state to be conferred with the recognition.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul conferred a ‘Special Citation’ on Khanna during commemoration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the state capital Albany last week.
Khanna is the first Indian in New York history to be accorded the honor by the Governor for AAPI Heritage Month.
Khanna, in a post on social media, described the honor as “deeply emotional and humbling” and added “what makes this recognition even more meaningful is that it marks the first time an Indian has received this honor in New York State history.”
Noting that AAPI is the fastest-growing community in the United States, representing more than 25 million people, cultures, stories, struggles, and dreams, Khanna said “This was never just a personal milestone. It was a statement of hope, identity, representation, and the power of diversity.”
In his remarks at the event, Khanna said that “to bring an Indian chef to this table, this is not just an honor for me, it’s a representation – that our stories matter, our culture matters.”
He said New York city thrives and becomes a beacon of hope for the world “because we protect the most vulnerable and in this city, most of the times, the immigrants are the most vulnerable.”
“…Many times our stories get buried” and all those buried seeds “arise” growing into plants, Khanna said as he underlined that it takes both leadership and community to bring about transformative change in societies.
In her message, Hochul said she was “proud to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in Albany…While the forces of hate try to stoke division, we’re showing the world that here in New York, we stand united. Our diverse cultures and communities make us stronger. And we’ll never stop fighting for them.”
Recognizing Khanna’s culinary journey and achievements from Amritsar to New York City, where he now helms the immensely popular restaurant ‘Bungalow’, the citation described him as a “global culinary icon” and said that “New York State is proud to join in honoring Vikas Khanna for his outstanding contributions and inspiring commitment to artistic, culinary and personal excellence.”
It said that New York State welcomes the opportunity to recognize individuals who, through their high standards of professional excellence, have served their fellow residents and communities with distinction.
“It is therefore appropriate that we acknowledge Vikas Khanna, in recognition of his achievements in the culinary arts, humanitarian work and continued promotion of Asian culture,” it said.
The citation also notes that Khanna’s influence extends to humanitarian efforts, as it referred to the ‘Feed India’ movement that the renowned chef had launched in partnership with India’s National Disaster Relief Force during the COVID19 pandemic. The initiative had delivered more than 30 million dry food packets and cooked meals across cities in India.
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