Asma Khan—Michelin-starred chef, activist, and the woman who turned rejection into revolution sits down with Danielle Robay. Born into an Indian royal bloodline, Asma was told from birth that she was a disappointment—too dark, too fat, too unworthy. The extended family dismissed her. She was never meant to be a leader. But that's exactly what she became.

Now, she is the force behind Darjeeling Express, a London restaurant run entirely by South Asian immigrant women—home cooks, nannies, and housewives who had never worked in professional kitchens before.

In this episode, Asma shares:


The one sentence her sister told her as a child that changed her life forever


Why she refuses to scream in the kitchen—and what male chefs get wrong about food


How Darjeeling Express began in her home and became an international success


The painful truth about losing friends after success (and how she knew it was time to walk away)


How she convinced a banker to fund her dream—after getting laughed out of the room


The surprising person who saved her when she hit rock bottom


Why she chose to hire only South Asian immigrant women—and how they built something powerful together


Why her scars are her greatest source of power


The Hollywood A-lister who surprised her with bagels and became an unexpected friend\

Follow Asma Khan here

Asma Khan—Michelin-starred chef, activist, and the woman who turned rejection into revolution sits down with Danielle Robay. Born into an Indian royal bloodline, Asma was told from birth that she was a disappointment—too dark, too fat, too unworthy. The extended family dismissed her. She was never meant to be a leader. But that's exactly what she became. Now, she is the force behind Darjeeling Express, a London restaurant run entirely by South Asian immigrant women—home cooks, nannies, and housewives who had never worked in professional kitchens before. In this episode, Asma shares: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The one sentence her sister told her as a child that changed her life forever </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Why she refuses to scream in the kitchen—and what male chefs get wrong about food </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How Darjeeling Express began in her home and became an international success </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The painful truth about losing friends after success (and how she knew it was time to walk away) </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How she convinced a banker to fund her dream—after getting laughed out of the room </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The surprising person who saved her when she hit rock bottom </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Why she chose to hire only South Asian immigrant women—and how they built something powerful together </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Why her scars are her greatest source of power </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The Hollywood A-lister who surprised her with bagels and became an unexpected friend\ </li> </ul> Follow Asma Khan <a href="https://www.instagram.com/asmakhanlondon/?hl=en">here</a>

Behind every headline is a person + a deeper story. Question Everything with journalist Danielle Robay cuts through social media buzz to uncover the voices, ideas, and cultural moments that shape how we see the world. Each week, she asks bold questions that challenge assumptions and reveal the nuance behind the narratives, inviting you to look closer at the world, and at yourself. Because there's always more to the story.
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Danielle is also the creator of the bestselling QUESTION EVERYTHING card game series, which has sparked connection and conversation in thousands of living rooms around the world. She's also the co-executive producer (alongside Reese Witherspoon) and host of Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. With her signature curiosity—dubbed "The Queen of Questions"—and a background in political science, Danielle brings both heart and rigor to every conversation. A Gloria Steinem Fellow and mentee of Larry King, she's carried forward a legacy of curiosity and connection, interviewing icons from Taylor Swift to Malala Yousafzai in more than 8,000 hours of elevated conversation.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

A Royal Bloodline, A Rebellious Spirit: How Asma Khan Changed the Culinary World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/85d34626-5646-407b-922e-b38a013740a3/transcript

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