📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Doctor Deepali
Entertainment
Vikas Khanna Reflects on Humiliating Childhood Cooking Experiences
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 15 Nov 2026, 05:11 PM
👁 25
Chef Vikas Khanna, famed for his role on MasterChef, shared memories of being humiliated for cooking during his early years. The renowned chef spoke about the challenges he faced growing up in a modest household.
Chef Vikas Khanna, known for his appearances on MasterChef and his acclaimed restaurants, recently opened up about his early life struggles. He recalled how, as a boy, he was often ridiculed for his cooking attempts, a memory that has shaped his determination to succeed in the culinary world.
Khanna described the humiliation he faced in a modest household where cooking was not encouraged. Despite the discouragement, he persisted, honing his skills in secret and drawing inspiration from local street food.
The chef emphasized that these hardships taught him resilience and a deep appreciation for food as a means of expression. He now uses his platform to inspire young cooks across India, encouraging them to pursue their passion regardless of early setbacks.
Khanna’s reflections highlight the broader narrative of many Indian chefs who rise from humble beginnings to achieve international acclaim.
Khanna described the humiliation he faced in a modest household where cooking was not encouraged. Despite the discouragement, he persisted, honing his skills in secret and drawing inspiration from local street food.
The chef emphasized that these hardships taught him resilience and a deep appreciation for food as a means of expression. He now uses his platform to inspire young cooks across India, encouraging them to pursue their passion regardless of early setbacks.
Khanna’s reflections highlight the broader narrative of many Indian chefs who rise from humble beginnings to achieve international acclaim.