No. 20 Vikram Vij, restaurateur

Bio

This world-famous restaurateur aspired to culinary greatness ever since he was a small boy in Amritsar, India... Training in Austria and work experience in Alberta preceded his move to Vancouver, where his tiny South Granville establishment soon attracted rave reviews and hordes of happy diners even before Vij was able to move to a more spacious location... Vij has since become a multi-faceted entrepreneur, writing cookbooks, teaching cooking classes and opening a second restaurant adjacent to his flagship operation, Vij's... His wife, Meeru Dhalwala, is not only his soulmate but his business partner and co-author.

Vij's restaurant duo try to set a green example

Last Modified: May 16, 2008

Q & A

What’s your recipe for success as a restaurateur?

"Thirteen years ago when I started the restaurant up, people were expecting butter chicken and a chicken tikka masala. I said I’ll take that and push it a little further, and I did it by slowly by being on the floor, educating people about the food, showing the integrity behind our product."

Do you think British Columbians can deliver on the ambitious goal of offsetting 50 per cent of additional demand for electricity by conservation by 2020?

"I have all the faith in human nature that once we realize what we need to do, we will do it. Some people take a little longer to get to it, and you have to educate people about this."

Give us an everyday example of what you’re doing to go green.

"I’m supposed to go to Tofino to somebody’s birthday party, and there’s going to be a chartered plane to fly up there. My wife Meeru put her foot down and said ‘I’m not flying’. So we’re taking the Prius, and the ferries, on what is a seven-hour trek. I was almost fine with flying… but she did her homework, phoned up the Suzuki Foundation and did the math. We learned that any twin engine plane that’s flying short distances will cause more environmental damage than taking the bus. We don’t have that much time, so we’re taking the Prius."

Guilty Pleasure

Few of us are flawless conservationists. Tell us about your dark side.

"When I met Meeru 13, 14 years ago, she used to have a 20-minute shower," said Vij. "Now she actually times herself. She loves that hot shower when she wakes up in the morning, but she's reduced it to almost two minutes."

Green lifestyle

What else have you done to conserve energy?

"Both of us drive Priuses. At home we wear sweaters so that the temperature is set at a much lower level. And my wife is very conscientious - she’s just started a 10 per cent reduction campaign. Everywhere we walk in the house, we switch the lights off, switch the power off, and she switches the computer off at night time. I didn’t realize that was so important, so I’m going to start that, too."