Chef Vikas Khanna Named to TIME100 2026, Recognized Among World’s Most Influential Voices

Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna has been named to the TIME100 for 2026, TIME’s annual list of the “100 most influential people” in the world, placing him among the most “powerful cultural voices” of his generation.

“The recognition honors a career that has never been confined to the kitchen,” a statement said, noting that as the founder of New York’s acclaimed restaurant Bungalow, Khanna has spent decades reshaping how Indian cuisine is perceived and celebrated globally.

“Guests line up hours before Bungalow opens each day, drawn as much by Khanna himself as by the experience he has created,” the statement added. “What sets him apart is the community he inspires which is one that spans generations. Grandparents, parents, and children within the same family each feel a personal connection to him, as though he belongs to all of them at once.”

The statement emphasized that his influence extends “deeper than fine dining.” As a filmmaker, Khanna has developed a body of work focused on women’s narratives and human dignity. His projects include The Last Color (2019), starring Neena Gupta, which drew international attention to the lives of widows and girls’ education in India, and Barefoot Empress (2022), which tells the story of a 96-year-old woman returning to school.

His latest film, Imaginary Rain, featuring Shabana Azmi, follows an immigrant woman chef in New York rediscovering her identity and cultural roots, and is scheduled for release later this year.

“Being recognized on the TIME100 is an incredibly humbling honor,” Khanna said. “I have always believed food is not just about nourishment but about memory and human connection. I share this recognition with every person who believed in the beauty and strength of our culture.”

Among the few Indian chefs to receive such global recognition, Khanna represents a distinctive blend of culinary excellence, cultural storytelling, and humanitarian commitment.

“His TIME100 inclusion is not just a milestone for his career, it is a recognition of what Indian cuisine and culture have always deserved on the world stage,” the statement added. 

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