Vikas Khanna’s journey from being called ‘curry boy’ to earning a spot on TIME’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people shows how he changed a hurtful word into a badge of honor.
The famous Indian chef, who runs the popular Bungalow restaurant in New York City, joined the list that includes Google CEO Sundar Pichai, actor Ranbir Kapoor, YouTube Chief Neal Mohan, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The magazine released the list on April 15, 2026.
Khanna learned about his selection on March 23, which is his late sister Radhika Khanna’s birthday. That date made the moment even more emotional for the 54-year-old chef.
“I felt that my sister is still fighting for me from up there. For them to pick up what they call us here, a curry boy and put it in the highest respected list in the world, this is a big deal,” Khanna told PTI from New York.
Taking Back a Hurtful Word With Pride
The word “curry” has been used in Western countries as a way to make fun of South Asian people and their food. Many Indian kids growing up abroad heard others make jokes about the smell of curry coming from their homes.
Khanna decided to change that story completely.
“They use the word curry in derogatory terms, but I use it with pride. I feel that it’s something which our grandmothers fed us, and our body and brain functions on that. And today, most of the Indians are running the entire world,” he said.
He shared his own family’s experience with this word.
“I have so many relatives here. All the kids would make fun of them or say this is smelling of curry. And now a curry boy gets to be on the stage where just a few selected people on the planet have walked,” Khanna added.
What TIME Magazine Said About the Chef
James Beard Award-winning chef Eric Ripert, who co-owns Le Bernardin restaurant, wrote Khanna’s profile for TIME magazine.
Ripert described Khanna as a “man of extraordinary heart” whose kindness goes far beyond cooking.
“His generosity extends far beyond the kitchen, reaching communities across the world with compassion, dignity, and a deep sense of responsibility. What makes Vikas so unique is his ability to connect with people from every walk of life, using food as a universal language to build bridges and foster understanding,” Ripert wrote.
TIME also praised Khanna’s Bungalow restaurant, calling it more than just a place to eat. The magazine described it as “a living expression of storytelling” where every dish shows memory, heritage, and shared identity.
A Big Moment for Indian Food and Culture
Khanna made it clear that this honor is not just about him.
“This is a very big moment for India,” he said.
When speaking to ANI news agency, Khanna shared what this recognition means for Indian food worldwide.
“I feel more for all the people who have stood by me all these decades. This is a big achievement for both our Indian culture and cuisine. I believe this will help volumise our voices in Indian cuisine,” Khanna said.
He added that this honor comes from “41 years of consistency” in his work.
“Even if people don’t show up, I believe Indian food is the game,” Vikas Khanna said.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Leads the Celebrations
Priyanka Chopra Jonas was one of the first people to congratulate Khanna after the news came out.
Khanna shared that he told her early when he first learned about the honor.
“Priyanka Chopra is among the first people in the world to text me for such a big moment. She is one of the first people I told when we heard the news,” Khanna revealed.
Chopra Jonas sent him a message that focused on what this means for their shared culture.
“This is a big moment for our cuisine and our culture right now,” she wrote to him.
From Amritsar’s Narrow Lanes to Global Recognition
Khanna posted a long note on Instagram after the TIME 100 announcement. He talked about how far he has come from his early days.
“Who would have imagined that a boy from the narrow lanes of Amritsar—who struggled to run with other kids, who knew that rolling breads at Golden Temple would lead to the biggest platform in the World, who chose cooking as an act of rebellion, who once sold chole bhature as a small dream—would one day find his name among the world’s most influential voices,” he wrote.
The chef gave credit to the women in his life who shaped his path.
“This is not just my journey of 41 years of consistency. This belongs to every mother, every teacher, every sister, every hand that believed, and every plate that carried a story forward,” Khanna said.
More Than Just a Chef: Humanitarian Work That Matters
Vikas Khanna’s influence goes far beyond cooking amazing food. His FeedIndia initiative gave out 30 million meals across 135 cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also runs the South Asian Kid’s Infinite Vision foundation, a non-profit group that helps children.
Before opening Bungalow, Khanna ran Junoon in New York, which held a Michelin star for many years. He has written over 41 books about Indian food traditions and made a Hindi film called The Last Colour starring Neena Gupta.
His next film, Imaginary Rain, tells the story of a New York chef. The movie features Shabana Azmi and Prateek Babbar with music by A R Rahman.
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A Victory for Every Indian Kitchen
Khanna’s name now sits alongside global figures like US President Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and Victoria Beckham on the TIME 100 list.
He ended his message to fans and supporters with words that tie everything together.
“I have no words to fully express my gratitude for being named among TIME’s Most Influential People of 2026. What a moment—for Indian cuisine, for our culture, for every story that began in a humble kitchen,” he said.
The full TIME 100 list appears in the April 27, 2026 issue of the magazine, which will be available on newsstands from April 17, 2026.
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