IN THE KITCHEN WITH ASMA KHAN

PRESTIGE Malaysia gets an exclusive interview with the inimitable Asma Khan on how food can be a tool for women’s empowerment.

- COLIN GOMEZ

Some may know her from Netflix’s Chef ’s Table, but a real gourmand will know Asma Khan for her transformative presence whose passion for Indian cuisine has made her a big name in the culinary world. The founder of Darjeeling Express, a favourite haunt of many foodies in London’s West End, has succeeded in bringing the authentic flavours of her homeland to the appreciation of a wider audience. Her influence is far from limited to the kitchen; Asma is a fierce advocate for female empowerment and employs women from disadvantaged backgrounds in her culinary ventures.

Her television appearances have not only showcased the remarkable array of flavours that inhabit Indian cuisine, but also brought to the fore an inspiring story of cultural pride and strength in the face of adversity.

Your appearance on Chef’s Table introduced you to a global audience. How did that change your perspective on cooking and restaurant ownership?
I don’t think it changed anything for me personally. It was an unscripted episode, and I spoke about what I thought was important. I tried to represent the true story of who we are, and you will notice that, unlike all the other episodes, I actually showed my entire team and named them. Nothing for me was different. What was interesting about Chef ’s Table was that people saw a Muslim, brown-skinned, immigrant woman in her 40s who began a business speaking about something that so many women are passionate about. I think the distinction really was that I spoke about a culture and women that a lot of people don’t think about too much when they think of our cuisine.