OT Tell us a little about your years in Punjab...

Vikas Khanna I feel blessed to have been born in Amritsar. A place I consider my grandmother&rsquos city. And a place where food is the centre of life. I remember how our summers were filled with sweet mangoes, and how we sat in the veranda churning mango ice cream in a wooden bucket.

OT You&rsquove talked of backpacking trips as a student to Siliguri and your bicycle ride from Mangalore to Goa in My Great India Cookbook. Were there any other memorable, impromptu vacations back then

Vikas Khanna My most unforgettable trip was to Bodh Gaya. I went for Kalachakra (a Tibetan ritual) and loved it. A whole new world opened up &mdash new flavours, new cultures&hellip

OT Are you still a no-fixed-itinerary-kind of traveller

Vikas Khanna Yes. I don&rsquot plan a trip. I let the universe plan for me. Travel has to be a little disorganised. Art and creativity flourish when trips are unpredictable.

OT Any disasters on the go

Vikas Khanna I lost all my baggage in Ladakh. But India has taught me to move forward and believe in destiny.

OT In the US, you&rsquove mostly been on the East Coast. Have you explored the rest of the country

Vikas Khanna I have travelled in the US, but not very extensively. I live and work in Manhattan, and don&rsquot get out as often as I would like to. Besides, there&rsquos so much to see right here in Manhattan.

OT What attractions/restaurants (besides your own, Junoon) would you recommend in New York

Vikas Khanna There are so many great museums here. I particularly love the MoMA, the Met and the American Museum of Natural History. And I like a peaceful walk in Central Park, right in the middle of the concrete jungle. As for restaurants, NY is a food paradise &mdash walk into any café or restaurant and you will be surprised.

OT When you&rsquore not travelling for work, do your trips have a culinary agenda

Vikas Khanna They do. I am always inclined towards culinary holidays. And even when I take a simple break to unwind and relax, it always ends up being a food-research project

OT What do you bring back from your trips

Vikas Khanna New ingredients, new cookbooks (that are only available locally) and prayer tools.

OT Where would you like to go next

Vikas Khanna Spain and Tibet.

OT Your favourite cuisine in India and abroad

Vikas Khanna Italian and Bhutanese. And in India, I love everything

OT Five things you always pack&hellip

Vikas Khanna My asthma inhalers, protein bars, cellphone, electric torch and credit card.