Vikram Vij

Vikram Vij is quite possibly the best-known chef in Canada. His legendary Vij’s restaurant famously takes no reservations (Pierre Trudeau and Harrison Ford have been asked to wait their turn) and is a local hotspot and a destination for anyone visiting Vancouver. Vij’s Restaurant has been featured in a variety of North American television broadcasts and publications, including Food Network CanadaCNNThe Globe and MailThe New York TimesThe Washington PostTravel + LeisureFood & WineBon AppétitSunset magazine, and Art Culinaire.

Now, with several more restaurants in Vancouver and South Surrey, a frozen foods business, and appearances on Chopped, Top Chef, Dragon’s Den and Recipes to Riches, Vikram is truly a national celebrity. The heart of his success though remains his devotion to culinary art. Vikram has championed the Indian Summer Festival since its very first year and curates ‘Dinner by Starlight’ and the culinary challenge at the festival’s opening gala every year.