A video featuring Chef Vikas Khanna’s firm response to a BBC presenter during a 2021 interview has recently resurfaced and gone viral. The interview focused on Khanna’s COVID-19 food distribution efforts, during which the BBC presenter assumed his “sense of hunger” stemmed from his experiences in India.
Khanna corrected the host, stating, “my sense of hunger came from New York.” The presenter had initially praised Khanna’s impressive achievements, such as cooking for the Obamas, before referencing his roots in Punjab’s Amritsar.
The interviewer implied that Khanna’s humble beginnings gave him a special understanding of India’s challenges, suggesting that growing up in a small city must have exposed him to hunger and poverty. This assumption reflected a stereotype that individuals from less privileged backgrounds in India are intimately familiar with hardship and starvation.
Khanna, clearly frustrated by the assumption, explained that he hails from Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple, which operates the world’s largest community kitchen, or langar. He emphasized that hunger is not a prevalent issue in his city.
Watch the video here:
Vikas Khanna, Michelin Star Chef, gives it back to BBC news anchor.
Anchor: In India, you were not from a rich family. So your sense of hunger must have come from there.
Vikas: No, I'm from Amritsar, everyone gets fed there in the langars. My sense of hunger came from New York! pic.twitter.com/rWf4PSVIAH
— Harpreet (@CestMoiz) September 12, 2024
He further explained that his personal experience with hunger actually came during his time in New York after 9/11, when jobs were scarce, especially for people of color. He also recalled having to sleep at Grand Central Station during that difficult period.
The clip gained widespread attention, with viewers praising Khanna’s composed response. One user remarked, “People from Punjab are the best in this matter, as I’ve travelled at many locations in Punjab, especially in Gurudwaras everyone gets fed. So ‘Vikas Khanna with the perfect clapback! In India, we know how to feed our people and our souls. Proud of our culture and the strength it gives us!’”
People from Punjab are the best in this matter, as I’ve travelled at many locations in Punjab specially in Gurudwaras everyone’s get feeded. so “Vikas Khanna with the perfect clapback! In India, we know how to feed our people and our souls. Proud of our culture and the strength…
— Tech_ Supreme𝕏 (@SupremexTech) September 12, 2024
Another user commented, “My sense of hunger came from New York!..savage.”
My sense of hunger came from New York!..savage 🙌🙏🇮🇳
— Smile&Shine 🇮🇳🧡🚩 (@smileandshine20) September 12, 2024
A subtle way to teach a lesson to an ignorant bigot racist masquerading as a journalist,” read a comment.
A subtle way to teach a lesson to an ignorant bigot racist masquerading as a journalist.
Good PR for Amritsar. Way to go @TheVikasKhanna
— Ishwar Singh (@IshwarBagga) September 12, 2024
One person commented, “Vikas Khanna schooling the anchor with that perfect response! Not all stories of success start with poverty—sometimes it’s the grind in unexpected places that shapes you. Respect.”
Vikas Khanna schooling the anchor with that perfect response! 🙌🏽🔥 Not all stories of success start with poverty—sometimes it's the grind in unexpected places that shapes you. Respect. 🙏 #VikasKhanna #MicDrop
— Sara (@KaukabSara51385) September 12, 2024
The video has already attracted close to 2 million views. Keep sharing such inspiring stories—your attention to detail makes all the difference!
