Celebrity Masterchef’s Vikas Khanna on a guest recognizing him from decades ago; writes ‘I used to clean her aunt’s apartment…’

It’s been nearly 25 years since Vikas Khanna first arrived in New York City—a wide-eyed young man with wooden shoes, braces on his legs, and dreams stitched together by hard work and hope. From cleaning apartments to cooking for U.S. presidents, Khanna’s journey is nothing short of cinematic.
In a heartfelt note shared recently, Khanna recalled a deeply personal moment at his Manhattan restaurant, Bungalow, where a guest recognized him from decades ago. “Today, something happened at Bungalow that stopped me in my tracks. A guest recognized me—from decades ago. I used to clean her aunt’s apartment on 40 Harrison Street in Tribeca. We spoke for a while. And then she told me that years later, when her aunt read about me cooking for President Obama, she called every relative she could reach—just to share the pride she felt in that moment,” he wrote.

The two reminisced, and the guest shared how, years later, her aunt had proudly told relatives about the boy who once cleaned her home and had gone on to cook for President Obama. Though her aunt has since passed, her memory left a lasting impact on Khanna. “Her aunt is no longer with us, but her memory lives on in my heart. Precious, glowing, eternal,” he said.

From passing out flyers and selling food on the streets to becoming a global ambassador of Indian cuisine, Khanna’s rise is a testament to perseverance, humility, and the strength of a mother’s faith. “None of this would’ve been possible without you, Maa,” he wrote, honoring his mother’s unwavering belief in him during his most uncertain years.
Recantly, Vikas Khanna has added another remarkable achievement to his name—being honored as Person of the Year by Harvard University’s South Asian Association (SAA). “This recognition is not just an award—it’s a promise,” he reflected. “A commitment to continue honoring our culture through every dish, every detail.”

From humble beginnings to global accolades, Vikas Khanna continues to inspire—one story, one plate, one heart at a time.