Get All Access for $5/mo

Celebrity Chef Maneet Chauhan Shares Her Best Tip for Aspiring TV Chefs Chef and restaurateur Maneet Chauhan discusses the reality of being a chef, sharing stories online and becoming a food TV personality.

By Shawn P. Walchef Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • Chauhan shares how street vendors inspire her with their ability to create beautiful meals with little means.
  • Her passion for the culinary arts permeates her social media, and she views social sharing as foundational to her growth.
  • She shares her best tip for young chefs looking to be on television.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

If you have passion, it will open doors.

Chef Maneet Chauhan's passion for cooking led to her becoming a food TV star and celebrated restaurant owner. "If you don't have passion in life, what's the point?" she says.

As a celebrated culinary artist, cookbook author and philanthropist, the Food Network star and founding partner of Morph Hospitality Group traces her food inspiration to the vibrant streets of India.

Related: 24-Karat Gold Syrup Is Just One Part of This Self-Taught Chef's Empire

Chauhan's culinary journey is deeply rooted in her experiences with street food vendors in India, where she was born. She appreciates their ability to craft delicious meals with minimal resources.

Reflecting on her travels, Chauhan underscored the obligation of chefs to overcome excuses and produce exceptional dishes however they can.

"If people with limited resources and limited means can create these unforgettable flavors, then as chefs, it's our fiduciary responsibility to make sure that we are creating those flavors and presenting them. Otherwise, we shouldn't be calling ourselves a chef," Chauhan told Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media.

Related: The Coffee Shop Issa Rae Helped Turn Into a Community Destination

Chauhan's biggest tip for getting on food TV

As a Food Network veteran, Chauhan believes that being a great cook is a priority to getting media exposure. "I really want to be the voice of Indian food throughout America," she says. "I have been vocal about it, and getting a platform like Food Network really helps."

The seasoned television personality offers valuable advice to aspiring chefs seeking a path to television.

Emphasizing the essence of culinary mastery, Chauhan recounts her journey from competing on Food Network's Iron Chef to becoming a permanent judge on Chopped.

Her wisdom for aspiring TV chefs is straightforward: "Just be good at what you're doing because there really isn't a formula as to how it is. Just do your best, and people will notice you."

Chauhan's passion for food extends beyond the kitchen, finding expression on her social media platforms. Her mantra, "the camera eats first," signifies the importance of visually sharing the culinary journey.

Chauhan views social media as a means to connect with a global audience, sharing her excitement and creating a bridge for those who might not have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

"Connection with people is the foundation of doing anything that I do," she says of her social media presence.

Subscribe to Restaurant Influencers: Entrepreneur | Spotify | Apple

About Restaurant Influencers

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point-of-sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

Related: How This Chef Navigated a $80,000 Turnaround for His Business

Shawn P. Walchef

Founder of Cali BBQ Media

“Be the show, not the commercial.”

Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn Walchef helps brands and leaders leverage the new Business Creator Economy with strategic Smartphone Storytelling and Digital Hospitality.

His Cali BBQ restaurant company has generated more than $35 million since opening in 2008. They operate numerous locations in San Diego and beyond.

Shawn’s weekly video series Restaurant Influencers (published by Entrepreneur Media and produced by Cali BBQ Media) has been seen by over 25 million people.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Restaurant Influencers

How This CEO Breathed Life Into a 75-Year-Old California Ice Cream Brand Without Losing Its Nostalgic Identity

This CEO Was Tasked With Helping an Iconic Hawaiian Brand Regain Its Footing. Here's How He Used Storytelling to Do It.

Shaquille O'Neal Used an Unconventional Strategy to Start His Chicken Restaurant — Here's Why It Worked

This Chicago Native Wants to Build the In-N-Out of Tacos

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Branding

You Don't Need Thousands to Turn Your Business Idea Into Reality — Here's How I Did It on a College-Kid Budget

From creating the packaging designs online by myself to learning how to take professional product photos, I found ways to launch a company on a low budget. Here's how you can do it, too.

Marketing

Many Brands Risk Being Left Behind By Overlooking These Critical Advertising Steps

Learn how to use smart marketing tools and AI to optimize online advertising and maximize ad spend in today's competitive landscape.