India has been shining more and more often on global platforms recently, the perfect example being when comedian and actor Vir Das visited Chef Vikas Khanna’s restaurant Bungalow in New York City. Das made history as the first Indian to host the International Emmy Awards, and he couldn’t hold back his admiration for Chef Khanna’s spot which has become one of the most in-demand destinations in the city.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Das shares an effusive and heartfelt message about the meal saying, “It’s amazing to see what he has built in the midst of this city,” adding, “Made me so proud and the food was so so so good. Utter innovation without alienation. Takes you home, and still surprises you. So grateful and just so proud. Thank you brother for your warmth and your representation”.
In the post, Das also shared his own history as an immigrant trying to find success in America, saying he had once worked in restaurants washing dishes to make his way, giving him a unique insight into the struggles Chef Khanna may have faced while trying to establish himself and showcase the authentic flavours of Indian cuisine.
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Khanna has often spoken out about the racism he has faced over the years as an Indian chef working in the West. He’s also been vocal about how Indian food has been whitewashed and adapted too far to cater to foreign palates. In a BBC interview from 2020, Chef Vikas Khanna adeptly challenged a racially loaded narrative about his motivations for providing free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the interviewer suggested that his background in Amritsar informed his understanding of hunger, implying a stereotypical connection between his Indian origins and charitable work, Chef Khanna offered a nuanced and powerful rebuttal.
He emphasised that in his hometown of Amritsar, hunger is not a prevalent issue, highlighting the Golden Temple's remarkable community kitchen that serves thousands of meals daily and could potentially feed the entire city. Instead, he candidly shared that his genuine experience with hunger and hardship originated in New York City.
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Chef Khanna revealed the challenging circumstances he faced as a brown-skinned chef in the post-9/11 economic landscape, describing nights spent sleeping in public spaces like Grand Central Station and the significant difficulties he encountered finding employment in restaurant kitchens due to racial discrimination.
Bungalow is his testament to unapologetic Indian cuisine. Inspired in part by his late sister, he showcases traditional dishes and flavours with a modern touch, and every element of the dining experience is designed to champion Indian traditions. With Bungalow steadily climbing in popularity, being named among the New York Times' best restaurants as well as many other accolades, it’s a testament to how much Chef Khanna’s passion for staying true to his roots has translated to an experience that is building bridges and blurring the boundaries between cultures.