For our 50th podcast today, Rajan travels to Canada to meet Vikram Vij, an Indian-born Canadian chef, cookbook author, an investor on Dragons Den, and mentor to the masses. Today’s session is a rare insight into the man behind the ingredients, an open book of emotions, and a fortunate stroke of serendipity.
In pursuit of happiness and wearing his heart on his sleeve, Vikram Vij speaks about the challenges he faces from the aftermath of his divorce, fame, and the highs and lows and views on life that will resonate with many.
Brief History on our guest:
Vikram Vij grew up in India, left in 1984 to study hotel management in Austria, and went to Canada in 1989, where he took a job at the Banff Springs Hotel, after a chance meeting with the General Manager of the hotel who was visiting Vienna. He immediately recognized the opportunity to establish himself in a country that was still growing and finding its way with culinary arts and opened his first restaurant in Vancouver in 1994.
A chef with his heart still deeply entwined with the culture he grew up in, his passion lies in bringing the scents, textures, colors, and tastes of his country to his adopted home in Vancouver. Vikram’s restaurants have an almost cult-like following with customers returning regularly so it’s rare for you to find a person in Canada who has not heard of Vikram or his restaurants. And with his ‘No Reservation Rule’ still intact, you will hear many Vancouverites share tactics of when to visit and get a table.
For more information on Vikram Vij’s restaurants, visit https://vijs.ca
What are your thoughts on Vikram’s advice, and how have you created a sense of belonging in the country you now call home? Share your comments below.
About the Global Indian Series:
My name is Rajan Nazran and in the past 15 years, I have travelled to over 58 countries, taking on some of the biggest conversations and covering stories from around the globe. My appetite for exploration, inside know-how and good food, has seen me voyaging far and wide, from the edges of the Amazon Rainforest, battling against the hurricanes of the Caribbean, being taken hostage in Eastern Europe, through to facing Ebola in West Africa. But now I take on my biggest expedition so far…discovering countries and places that are home to our diaspora and the real experiences that come with it.
The Global Indian Series is an immersive platform that provides original, memorable, and exclusive content with on-ground interviews and insights from incredible people. It also provides a platform to celebrate the extraordinary tentacles of Identity that has weaved itself across the globe and the conversations you need to know. In addition to our award-winning podcasts, we run our print feature in partnership with The Indian Express, host events worldwide and have an upcoming docu-series.
How to get involved:
Interested in getting involved in building the world’s largest living encyclopedia on the community? Whether you want to become a patron, buy us a chai in a new location or have your story shown, simply get in touch via our website, we would love to hear from you. www.GlobalindianSeries.com
Social media:
You can reach Rajan via
Instagram: @rajannazran
Linkedin: RajanNazran
Youtube: Global Indian Series
Special thank you to- TAIZU for the music
Episode: 50
Presenter – Rajan Nazran
Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth
Guest – Vikram Vij
Art Design – Vanisha Patel
Other podcasts
If you liked this podcast on Canada – you may enjoy the following:
https://globalindianseries.com/ep-27-the-10-year-gamble-of-a-documentary-maker-made-in-canada/
https://globalindianseries.com/ep-5-made-in-uruguay-meet-the-global-indian-who-said-what-if/
We produce content that inspires purpose, passion, and community. If you like what we do, please do share, like, and comment. It helps massively with online algorithms.
Sponsors
Did you know that there are over 70,000 people of Indian origin that call Portugal home? In fact, our print feature on Portugal was viewed over 30 million times and we were fortunate whilst there, to meet with some of Europe’s greatest minds, including today’s sponsors. To find out more about their personal stories and how they have redefined identity and reshaped Portugal –
Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts Luxury Family Holiday Everything about Martinhal is designed with families in mind. From high-class family-friendly accommodation to restaurants, bars, our baby concierge, kids clubs and leisure activities, Martinhal allows families to spend time together in a five star environment. For unforgettable family holiday memories, look no further than Martinhal. Chitra Stern Our Podcast with Chitra –
www.globalindianseries.com/ep-28-empowerment-and-entrepreneurship-made-in-singapore
At Nova SBE we believe change is unstoppable. We take responsibility for nourishing the bright minds who will lead us through the future. We believe that it is our duty to stay at the forefront of innovation, sustaining excellence and rigor while preparing the leaders of tomorrow to contribute to an open, sustainable, and more inclusive world. Our programs help students discover where they can excel and have a meaningful impact. We create a space where students can obtain the know-how and the attitude that breeds achievement and, ultimately, fosters their individual and collective potential. Nova SBE is the place where ideas and ideals can flourish: a common ground for all those curious minds and resilient souls who believe there is always space to learn more, do good, be better. And, as always, we welcome you to join us in this bright new chapter of our story. Daniel Traça To find out more about Nova and our visit to the campus
www.globalindianseries.com/meeting-the-academic-disruptor/
Sheerme.com Sheerme is Portugal’s leading lifestyle app, developed with soul by Miguel Rebiero – you can listen to his story here –
www.globalindianseries.com/ep22-the-power-of-breaking-comfort-zones-made-in-portugal-miguel-ribeiro/
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