India, July 10 -- There was a time when a chef's ultimate ambition was tethered entirely to the four walls of a kitchen line. Success was measured in gruelling 12-hour shifts, sizzling copper pans, and the volatile approval of anonymous inspectors. But a quiet, high-stakes evolution has rewritten the culinary playbook. Also read | Chef Vikas Khanna turns heads in black Louis Vuitton bandhgala at TIME100 gala

Today, an elite tier of modern chefs is translating culinary acclaim into massive global business empires, stepping into a financial league historically dominated by tech founders and media moguls. Standing firmly at the intersection of this cultural and commercial shift is Michelin-starred chef, author, and filmmaker Vikas Khanna. ...