Vikas Khanna has been named in the 2026 TIME100 list by Time, recognizing him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world this year. The annual list highlights individuals who have made a significant global impact in a variety of fields, including culture, innovation and leadership.
Chef Vikas Khanna has made it to TIME’s prestigious TIME100 list
Khanna, an internationally acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author and filmmaker, has played a key role in bringing Indian cuisine to the global stage. His New York-based restaurant Bungalow has recently garnered attention for presenting Indian heritage through an immersive dining experience, while his first venture, Junoon, earned Michelin stars for several consecutive years, cementing his presence in the global culinary landscape.
Apart from his work in fine dining, Khanna is also known among Indian audiences as a judge on MasterChef India, where his advice and approach has been a hit with the audience. He has also written over 40 books documenting Indian culinary traditions and expanded into filmmaking, directing The Last Colour. His upcoming project, Imaginary Rain, is a culinary-centric drama set in New York.
Khanna’s contribution also extends to humanitarian work. Through initiatives like the Feed India campaign, he played a role in large-scale food relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching out to millions of people across multiple cities. He is also involved with philanthropic efforts through his non-profit initiatives.
Commenting on the recognition, Khanna said, “It is a matter of great pride for me to be in the 2026 TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people. I owe this recognition to my grandmother, mother and sister. This achievement is a triumph for India and our culinary heritage that has been appreciated by people across the world.”
The full TIME100 list appears in the April 27, 2026 issue of the magazine and is also available online.
