It pays to listen to your granny. Ask Vikas Khanna, who went from watching and learning his grandmothers recipes as a child, to concocting elaborate menus which had gourmands in New York, literally eating out of his hands. Now Khanna the award-winning chef and popular host of Masterchef India has recapitulated all that he knows about Indian food and his favourite recipes from the subcontinent in a new book Flavors First which was recently launched by Om Books International at the resto-bar Shiro in the Capital.
Khanna who was named the Hottest Chef in New York by Eater was suitably enthused at the launch: ‘I am delighted to be back in India for the launch of my book. It presents memories that have seeped into my cooking, from my grandmother’s simple traditional dishes to living in New York where I have adapted the centuries-old traditions of Indian cooking to the wonders of the city’s ethnic diversity.
Khanna grew up in Amritsar, India and learned to cook from his grandmother. He opened his own catering company at the age of 17 and never looked back, becoming 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 remains the only Indian-origin chef to have a Michelin Star rating.
Flavors First was launched by the acclaimed columnist, journalist, talk-show host, author and gastronome Vir Sanghvi. The launch was attended by well-known names from the industry.