GUWAHATI: In a video call interview, a BBC anchor asked Vikas Khanna if his sense of hunger came from India suggesting that his upbringing in a less affluent family might have been the inspiration.
Khanna replied, “I understand, but my sense of hunger didn’t come from India so much because I was born and raised in Amritsar and we have a huge community kitchen where everyone gets fed. The entire city can eat there. My sense of hunger came from New York when I was struggling here from the very bottom. It’s not easy rising as a brown kid who came to America with a dream of opening a Michelin star. I think my aspirations were too high or crazy. My sense of hunger came from New York when I used to be at Grand Central or sleeping around. This was post 9/11 and it wasn’t easy for us to get jobs.”
Khanna mentioned that his struggles in New York, as an immigrant chef, shaped his understanding of hunger.
This interview happened in 2020, and after four years, the video is going viral again. Netizens are in awe of his reply and praising his calm but assertive response.
Reacting to the viral video, Khanna took to Instagram to speak about the incident. He wrote, "As this is trending worldwide, I must address this issue..."
"Our Chefs are ruling the global stages and our role in the World of science & technology is symbolic to who we are & our educational systems. But somehow this is the only question significant to some…,” he added.
During the pandemic, Khanna organised food distribution drives across India.