‘If You Want To Eat My Food, Accept Me First’: Celebrity Chef Asma Khan On Facing Racism In UK

Celebrity chef Asma Khan has delivered a powerful and deeply personal statement on racism, cultural appropriation and the treatment of Indians in the UK. Speaking candidly to the Mojo Story about food, identity, and representation, Khan questioned why Indian cuisine is celebrated while Indians continue to face prejudice and hostility. She also raised concerns about the hospitality industry’s silence on racism, misogyny and discrimination. From calling out cultural appropriation to challenging powerful names in the restaurant business, Khan’s remarks have sparked widespread attention for their honesty, sharpness and refusal to stay silent in uncomfortable conversations across Britain today.

Indian Food Cannot Be Separated From Indian Identity

Asma Khan made it clear that Indian food is not just about flavour or trends. For her, it represents history, culture, healing, and heritage. She spoke about India’s ancient food traditions, saying food has always been deeply tied to medicine, seasons and festivals. She pointed out how Indian cuisine is often embraced globally, but the people behind that culture still face discrimination. That contradiction, according to Khan, remains deeply troubling. In one of her strongest remarks, she said:
“If you take my food, you’ve got to take the rest of me. Don’t eat our food then”

“If You Want To Eat my Food, You Need To Accept Me First”- Celebrity Chef Asma Khan slams rising racism against Indians in the UK at our #WeTheWomen stage in a powerful hitback- Watch more here https://t.co/KML9fxRt4w pic.twitter.com/0nxTwoD4ID

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) June 30, 2026

Khan strongly criticised rising anti-immigrant and anti-Indian sentiment in parts of the UK. She questioned how people can enjoy Indian food while rejecting Indian communities. Speaking on racism and social tensions, she said:
“If you do not accept us… ” Don’t eat our food then.” Her comments directly addressed what she sees as selective acceptance, where Indian culture is welcomed on plates, but Indians themselves are not always treated with dignity and respect.

ALSO READ | Parasakthi Row Escalates: Sudha Kongara Seeks Rs 8.39 Crore, HC Restrains Satellite Release

Asma Khan Calls Out Appropriation Of Indian Food

Khan also spoke about what she sees as the growing appropriation of Indian cuisine. She argued that Indian food is often altered, repackaged, and marketed without respect for its roots. She specifically criticised products that use Indian food terminology while completely stripping away authenticity. Referring to one example, she said a “biryani wrap” with no rice reflected exactly what was wrong. Her point was direct: don’t borrow cultural identity for commercial gain while ignoring the people and history behind it.

ALSO READ | ‘Betrayal Of Faith, Emotions’: Ramayan’s ‘Lakshman’ Furious Over Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Scam, Demands Strict Action

Silence In Kitchens Remains A Serious Issue

Beyond racism, Khan also turned her attention to the hospitality industry, accusing it of staying silent on serious issues such as misogyny, discrimination and abuse in professional kitchens. She expressed disappointment over the lack of support from powerful women in the industry, especially when allegations against major chefs became public. Khan argued that silence often comes from fear of losing status and privilege. She also named influential figures, including Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay, and Claude Bosi, while discussing broader issues of power and exclusion in elite kitchens.

Khan’s message remained consistent throughout; systems only change when people speak up. Asma Khan’s remarks go beyond food. They reflect a larger conversation around identity, belonging and respect. Her message is simple but hard-hitting: celebrating a culture should also mean respecting the people who carry it. In a climate of rising racial tension, her words have struck a nerve far beyond the restaurant industry.