Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna has been included in TIME magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people, marking a significant achievement for Indian culinary arts on the global stage.
Reflecting on the milestone in an interview with ANI, Khanna expressed gratitude and pride, stating, “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.”
He described the recognition as a “big honor for the years of consistency” and added, “Even if people don’t show up, I believe Indian food is the game.”
Among the first to congratulate Khanna was actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas. He revealed, “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,” adding that her message said, “This is a big moment for our cuisine and our culture right now.”
TIME magazine released the 2026 list on Wednesday, featuring notable figures including Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Ralph Lauren, Kate Hudson, Ethan Hawke, Mark Kelly, and Hilary Knight alongside Khanna.
In a press statement, Khanna said, “Being on the 2026 TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world is a matter of immense pride for me. I owe this recognition to my grandmother, mother, and sister; they always believed in me, and it is their sacrifices, blessings, and guidance that have helped me reach where I am today. This achievement is a victory for India and our culinary legacy that is appreciated by people across the world. With this honour, I hope to inspire the people of my country to follow their ambition and represent India on the global stage.”
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