Mention Shipra Khanna to anybody in India and you’ll likely elicit gasps of adoration and love. Known colloquially as the ‘glamorous chef’, and with numerous restaurants, cookbooks and television programs to her name – not to mention a social media following in the tens of millions - there are few corners of the culinary spectrum that Khanna has yet to conquer.
Catapulted into popularity after winning the second season of MasterChef India, Khanna’s passion, culinary skill, broad international food knowledge and captivating charm has won her millions of fans. Locals ardently flock to her restaurants Darzi Bar & Kitchen (New Delhi) and House of Taste (Ahmedabad), watch her top-rating Snack in the Box TV show and subscribe to her Shipra’s Kitchen YouTube channel, Khanna.
And while the ten books she has published to date, including The Spice Route, Sinfully Yours and the Simply… series celebrate and promote regional Indian food cultures, Khanna is a lover of all cuisines.
“I absolutely love making homemade pasta from scratch with a rich tomato basil sauce,” says the cook who has travelled to more than fifty countries on her culinary adventures. “It's a comforting and rewarding process. And my favourite restaurant is this quaint little Italian trattoria, where the food is always authentic and heart-warming.”
A fervent advocate for gender equality and food justice, Shipra Khanna is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award, the Cultural Ambassador of India Award, as well as being the first Indian to win at the World Influencers Forum in Cannes (“that was a particularly proud moment for me.”). Her not-for-profit organisation Cooking for India, founded during the pandemic, supports frontline workers and others in need of assistance.
“I'd love to see more sustainable practices adopted across the industry,” Khanna says of her charitable work. “I’m passionate about reducing food waste and promoting a healthier planet, as well as seeing women being given equal opportunities in the field.”
With so many accomplishments to her name, Khanna says her goals are simply to grow as a cook, and to connect with others. “For me, success means constantly evolving as a chef, touching people's hearts through my food, and leaving a positive impact on the culinary world.”
“My culinary journey has been one of dedication, passion, and growth, and I'm grateful for all the support from all my fans and well wishers.”