Chefs

LAUNCH OF THE FIRST PHYGITAL NFT COOKBOOK, "SACRED FOODS OF INDIA," BY MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF VIKAS KHANNA

Giving readers a taste of India, Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna talks about his limited-edition collectible NFT cookbook.

How did the idea of releasing the first phygital NFT cookbook cross your mind?

The idea behind releasing this cookbook came from an urge to connect future generations with our ancestral values, foods and culture. You see people serving food selflessly at temples, monasteries, mosques and Mother Theresa's kitchen. This practice, which has been going on for centuries, is truly amazing. At the same time, I feel that it is also part of our collective heritage, which is why we have to find a way to link these amazing holy kitchens to future generations. I also wanted to have a magnum opus cookbook, so the only way to achieve it was to release a phygital NFT book: an investment that people can make money out of. In parallel, the digital format resonates with the new generation, for whom this book is written. The intention is to help them understand India in the way we grew up. Furthermore, my hope is that these holy institutions continue to nurture the physical and spiritual aspects of life and that readers of "Sacred Foods of India" are inspired by my motherland, regardless of where they live. What projects are you working on?

My goal is to bring to life projects that have value and creative intellectual work to honor my roots. I have three additional books on the way and some amazing partnerships with innovative products on the market. Furthermore, I am releasing my perfume, something I am very proud of and passionate about. The fragrance is currently available in the U.S. Also, Vikas Khanna by Celeste, a high-quality hand-made dinnerware range, pays tribute to beautiful memories created around food. In addition, I have released two documentaries, and I'm working on a film that's due to come out in early 2023. The cherry on the cake is my new restaurant in New York. I hope that these projects make us proud as Indians and inspire others.

CHEF JAMES KNIGHT-PACHECO JOINS COVE BEACH AS GROUP EXECUTIVE CHEF

Chef James Knight-Pacheco’s culinary repertoire continues to flourish with Cove Beach recently appointing him as group executive chef. Chef Knight-Pacheco, whose career spans more than 20 years, has worked at some of the world’s finest luxury hotels and restaurants in the UK and the Middle East, including: Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s; Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons in Oxfordshire, with two-Michelin starred chef Raymond Blanc; Six Senses- Zighy Bay in Oman; Dubai Marina Yacht Club; and Vida Downtown, part of Emaar Hospitality Group. He was also part of the pre-opening team for the flagship property ME by Melia at The Opus Tower, designed by the late Zaha Hadid.

In May 2020, Knight-Pacheco launched the Chef JKP Podcast, which celebrates the inspirational stories of people in the hospitality industry and has run for three seasons so far on all podcast streaming platforms. He also co-founded the Dubai Chef’s Collective.

His most recent achievement was being named in Gault & Millau dining guide’s UAE edition. covebeach.com

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