Issue link: https://canadawidemedia.uberflip.com/i/918147
32 OUR HOUSE WINTER 2018 DOMINION LENDING CENTRES What do you make of the popularity of food shows and channels like the Food Network, and chefs as celebrities? I think bringing cooking into the mainstream cannot be a bad thing, but I hate the term "celebrity chef," because our main focus should always be the food, rather than fame. I've been involved in many TV shows myself and I'm grateful for the ability to bring an Indian presence there, and to highlight Indian cuisine to a wider audience. You've written books and been on TV shows. Do you see yourself cooking and opening and running more restaurants for the years to come? What does the future hold? The day I stop cooking is the day I give up on everything! Sure, I'd like to open more restaurants, but I also want to make sure the ones I have are the best they can possibly be and have the attention they deserve. I have two daughters, but I have three other children: Vij's, Rangoli and My Shanti! What is the one thing people might not know about you? I'm known for working the room at my restaurants, but the reason I love to do that is because I originally wanted to be a Bollywood actor. I love to perform and to talk to people and I wanted to be a movie star, but my father said no son of his was going to be an actor, so I became a chef. I LOVE TO PERFORM AND TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND I WANTED TO BE A MOVIE STAR, BUT MY FATHER SAID NO SON OF HIS WAS GOING TO BE AN ACTOR, SO I BECAME A CHEF.