New Delhi:
The heartthrob chef and TV show Master Chef judge Vikas Khanna says has that the show has shaped up my career differently and has given me enough reasons to be back home. Vikas has host the Season 2 and 3 of Master Chef India.
"Master Chef has helped to take me to every home in my Mother land. I feel privileged and proud to be a part of the revolution it has brought. It has truly opened doors for me giving more reasons to come back home," Vikas during an interview.
The Michelin Starred Indian chef, restaurateur and filmmaker is based in New York city and established his Indian food restaurant 'Junoon' in 2005 in Manhattan which became a success there. It was in 2011 that he got to host the 'Master Chef India Season 2' and became a household name in India.
"It's truly a game of destiny where cosmic schedules defined my journey. I was never ambitious to create an Empire, but always thought of doing my best work at every step. Learning to be patient and understanding that it's a small industry and works with very high devotion," he said.
Vikas has also authored more than 20 cook books, each of them targeted at a different audience.
"I write books much in advance and release 3 to 4 books a year. I try to create refreshing, most humbling project than the previous ones. I have a superb team who share the same vision of excellence, it helps us to put project together beautifully," he said.
Talking about his latest book 'Everybody can cook' published by Om Books International Vikas said, "I generally cook with a chef's heart when I write a book. In Everyone Can Cook, I thought as a working home cook, who wanted everything quick and flavourful in less time and less effort."
Star Chef' and also 'The Hottest Chef of America' believes that cooking has moved beyond the regular kitchens to cookbooks, reality shows and food specific TV channels.
"I think that less we are cooking at home kitchens, more we are watching chefs on TV. It's a way of comfort. I also think that books on food are conserving cultures and family traditions and everyone is interested in it. I love this new role of chefs as philosophers and ambassadors of cuisines," he said.
There will always be improvement with new creative chefs re-defining foods and rituals. I think that travel shows that explore the simplest food ways will always be in. Comfort foods with great human connect will always be watched again and again, Vikas added.
The chef who was amongst the select few to attend a dinner party with the US President and his wife Michelle Obama, on her birthday this year began developing recipes at a very young age. He opened his first venture, Lawrence Gardens Banquets to host weddings and family functions when he was 17.
The celebrity chef also recommends culinary schools to aspiring chefs.
"I recommend as it brings a substantial amount of discipline and trade guidelines. It’s very important to learn the fundamentals and at the same time the best chefs in my kitchen who are self-taught or have no degrees like us are way more creative, " he said adding ," It has no rules and yet it is defined by rules. I think a combination of both is important."
