The hottest and sexiest Indian Michelin star Chef Vikas Khanna unveiled his new book, ‘Khanna Sutra’ at Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel in New Delhi. Vikas is known as a versatile and humble judge on MasterChef India and is the owner of award winning restaurant ‘Junoon’ in New York, USA. Renowned fashion designer, Rohit Bal was the guest of honor at the event. The first copy of Khanna Sutra has already been presented to the first couple of the US, President Barack Obama and The First Lady, Michelle Obama at a White Housereception. Chef Vikas presented the second copy to his parents as he said without their support he would not have achieved this!
This is the first time I met someone who speaks as well as he looks. Chef Vikas commenced the meeting by telling us how he came to the name of the book. He says when he was in US, the Americans found it difficult to pronounce his surname ‘Khanna’ and they would call him Khaana. Way back in 2002 when he launched his first Valentine’s Day menu, he called it ‘Khanna Sutra’. He admits Valentine’s is not just confessions but renewal too.
Chef Vikas has tried to capture the many myriad emotions food can bring across. He alleges his subconscious mind resides in Amritsar the city of his birth and home to him. He says now people are discussing India through food and hopes his book will further add to these conversations. Chef Vikas acknowledges that he is extremely proud of having Amritsar on the world map of food.
We asked lot of questions to Chef Vikas Khanna and here are some of them.
Q) First thought after receiving his Michelin star, merely nine months after opening the restaurant?
A) I thought of only two things – Primarily my grandmother’s hands and the Golden Temple, and after that his second home, Junoon’s Kitchen.
Q) Journey so far
A) Everything in life is connected with dots and what connects that is the string. I believes in a cosmic schedule. Once a Pandit (Indian priest) told me: “God please don’t give me what I ask for… Give me what is good for me. Future projects would choose me. I am willing to let them come to me at the right time.
Q) Finest compliments received
A) From Gordon Ramsay wherein Chef Ramsay said “This guy doesn’t give up”. Another Compliment came from a Punjabi lady who was in tears after eating Aloo Wadi in his restaurant. She said that it had the same taste as her grandmother used to make 18 years ago. Now that’s a profound food memory.
Q) Favorite Food
A) Dal-Chawal. I eat this every night. I ate that even when my restaurant ‘Junoon’ got completed and it gave me a sense of achievement.
Q) How is ‘Khanna Sutra: Food Lessons in Love’ Different?
A) Technically 60% of my book has vegetarian recipes. It is a lasting legacy in love. Classified into sections like Aphrodisiacs, Soups, Salads, Fish & Shellfish, Meat & Poultry, Vegetables, Sides, Desserts and Drinks, each recipe of Khanna Sutra has an international edge. Be it Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa, or Crispy Okra Salad with Dried Mango Strips, Pan-Seared Orange-Saffron Salmon, Ginger-Infused Foie Gras, Rhubarb with Fennel Seeds and Himalayan Salt, or even Plantains Slow-Cooked in Tamarind Mint Curry, the recipes mark an adventurous departure from conventional tastes. Published by OM books ‘Khanna Sutra’ is available in India for Rs.895.
About The Author
Vikas Khanna is an award-winning, Michelin-Starred Indian chef and restaurateur. He grew up in Amritsar, India, and learned to cook from his grandmother. At the age of 17, he opened his own catering company and has never looked back. He graduated from the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, and studied at the Culinary Institute of America, Cornell University, New York University, and the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, Paris.
Settled in New York for over a decade, Vikas Khanna is one of New York City’s top rated chefs with his work at Salaam Bombay, The Café at the Rubin Museum, and the highly regarded Junoon. He is also recognised for his humanitarian efforts with SAKIV, New York Chefs Cooking for Life, and his documentary film series, Holy Kitchens. Chef Vikas Khanna is a household name for his television appearances on Martha Stewart, Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, Throwdown with Bobby Flay,and as a host of MasterChef India. Junoon is the only Indian restaurant approved by the culinary institute of America. It boasts of one of the finest wine collections of over 700 varieties.
– Upasana Mahtani Luthra
