Sometimes, it takes just one moment, one comment, to define the fire one will walk through. For Chef Vikas Khanna, that moment came in the sweltering gardens of a hotel buffet in 1992, where a stranger’s insult nearly broke his spirit. Today, that same man runs one of the world’s most celebrated Indian restaurants in New York City, Bungalow, recently honoured with the prestigious Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award.
Back then, a teenage Vikas was just a trainee at the Mughal Sheraton in Agra, working the tandoor under the afternoon sun. While placing fresh rotis on a guest’s table, he overheard a mother warn her son: “If you don’t study, you’ll end up like him.” It was a moment that could have crushed anyone’s self-worth. But when he returned home to Amritsar, his grandmother gave him the clarity he needed: “Choose happiness over money. Purpose over business.”
That single sentence became the guiding light for Khanna’s journey. Four decades later, he has not only built a global reputation as a culinary icon but also redefined Indian fine dining in the heart of Manhattan with Bungalow. Opened in March 2024, the restaurant marries innovation with Indian heritage, offering an experience that feels rooted, warm, and deeply respectful of culture.
Nita Ambani’s visit
The restaurant has hosted a host of A-list guests including Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Mukesh Ambani. But a particularly emotional milestone came when Nita Ambani visited during the NMACC India Weekend. Moved by the space and its soul, she said, “This place represents us, our traditions, and honors our ancestors. It is our responsibility to represent our legacy and inheritance.”
For Vikas, the moment was deeply emotional. He reflected on how one memory nearly shattered his dream of becoming a chef, while another gave him the strength to stand tall in his truth. Expressing his gratitude, he thanked Nita Ambani for being a torchbearer of India’s cultural pride on the global stage.
Back then, a teenage Vikas was just a trainee at the Mughal Sheraton in Agra, working the tandoor under the afternoon sun. While placing fresh rotis on a guest’s table, he overheard a mother warn her son: “If you don’t study, you’ll end up like him.” It was a moment that could have crushed anyone’s self-worth. But when he returned home to Amritsar, his grandmother gave him the clarity he needed: “Choose happiness over money. Purpose over business.”
That single sentence became the guiding light for Khanna’s journey. Four decades later, he has not only built a global reputation as a culinary icon but also redefined Indian fine dining in the heart of Manhattan with Bungalow. Opened in March 2024, the restaurant marries innovation with Indian heritage, offering an experience that feels rooted, warm, and deeply respectful of culture.
Nita Ambani’s visit
The restaurant has hosted a host of A-list guests including Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Mukesh Ambani. But a particularly emotional milestone came when Nita Ambani visited during the NMACC India Weekend. Moved by the space and its soul, she said, “This place represents us, our traditions, and honors our ancestors. It is our responsibility to represent our legacy and inheritance.”
For Vikas, the moment was deeply emotional. He reflected on how one memory nearly shattered his dream of becoming a chef, while another gave him the strength to stand tall in his truth. Expressing his gratitude, he thanked Nita Ambani for being a torchbearer of India’s cultural pride on the global stage.
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