Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna cares deeply about three things: food, family and friends. At least that’s what I’ve noticed in the six months that I’ve come to know the Michelin-star chef. Khanna officially opened Bungalow to artistic pomp and circumstance, all carefully planned and personally meaningful. For instance, the restaurant opened March 23rd, 2024 which would have been the 50th birthday of his late sister with whom Khanna was very close. In my most recent interview with the culinary star, Khanna talks about the health benefits of Indian cuisine, how he deals with grief and loss, and the importance of community through cooking and eating.
When I first met Khanna, he was discussing an animated short, American Sikh, which he had executive produced, at a private event hosted by our mutual friend, social media guru and founder of Digimentors, Sree Sreenivasan. Of course, my first “interaction” with Khanna was the same as most of the world—watching him as a judge and host of MasterChef India which I used to watch with my mom, a very talented cook in her own right.
Food Is Medicine
As a physician, I firmly believe that nutrition is directly related to our physical and mental wellbeing. In fact, the leading causes of death in the United States including heart disease, cancer and diabetes can be prevented by adopting a healthier diet. Khanna also believes there’s a strong connection between food and health.
“My grandmother used to tell me that Indian cuisine is a medicine,” explains the author and chef who likes adding lesser known foods to create dishes. “In our potato chaat, I’ve added ashwagandha to chickpea crispy droplets. I’m making sure to give every diner small packs of custom made fennel seeds with rose flake and cardamom at the end of the meal. An ancient ritual for digestion.”
Khanna’s team also created handwipes with Mysore sandalwood essence to give diners a sense of calm, “almost like a homecoming,” describes the famous chef.
Dealing With Grief
Khanna has been open about the passing of his beloved sister and the impact of her death on his life. He thinks of her every day. I can empathize. My father died on March 16th, 2023 from heart failure at age 89. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my dad who was my number one fan. Khanna can relate.
“She was more than my sister, she was like my daughter. It was truly the hardest experience of my life,” reflects Khanna. While he was trying to recover from his loss, Khanna learned “sublimation” which means changing the form: “It was my rescue and redemption to change the form of pain to something more creative. This was my way of keeping my sister alive.”
Khanna and his partner, Jimmy Rizvi, opened Bungalow on Mar 23rd, 2024 which would have been her 50th Birthday & to honor her life in every way.
Everyone deals with grief differently. When we experience profound loss, our brain undergoes changes.
Connection Is Everything
Khanna knows that he is not alone in his grief. So many people have lost a loved one, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many are struggling with loneliness and isolation which is adversely impacting mental health, as reported by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2023. Khanna is aware of this public health problem and is hoping that Bungalow will foster a sense of connection among New Yorkers and beyond.
“I’ve been cooking professionally since I was 16, and for most of my life,” says Khanna “Bungalow was more of my sister’s dream than mine.” Khanna’s sister had always said that he could create a home for everyone. When he saw the space with Rizvi, “it took me home,” recalls Khanna who would like nothing more than Bungalow being a place for people to come together, share stories and exchange laughs over unique and flavorful dishes made with healthy ingredients. Food, friends and family—a recipe for success.
