Profile: Elephant Wings
Meet Ameet.
There’s the art of food and there’s the art of entertaining. Chef Ameet is skilled in both.
Photos by Jillian Brooke
Ameet Malhotra is a self-taught Kansas City based chef who turned his love of food into a full-time profession. His private chef business, Elephant Wings, serves up Indian inspired coursed dinners right in your very own home. Not only is Ameet skilled in the kitchen, but he is also an enthusiastic entertainer. Whether he is sharing the story behind a particular dish or plating the next course while humming to Bollywood tunes, Ameet provides a remarkable dining experience that is second to none.
Born in Bombay (now known as Mumbai), India, Ameet came to the U.S. and pursued a degree in graphic design, a study that would eventually land him a job at Hallmark. Desiring to eat healthier after living on a diet of cheap eats during his college years, Ameet began learning to cook with the help and inspiration of his father, who, at the time, was a general manager at an Indian restaurant in New York. The two would bounce ideas off each other, motivated to experiment with the flavors and spices of their home country. Ameet quickly gained traction in his newly acquired skill but picked up another one as well – the art of entertainment. The chef began to indulge friends and family with his creative dishes and learned he had a knack for leaving hungry eaters satisfied. Although friends and family were satiated, the vision of their faces lighting up when they bit into his food left Ameet hungry for more. The up-and-coming chef’s passion for food was quickly taking over and Elephant Wings was created as he began hosting elaborate private dining experiences in his free time.
Ameet was one of the many creatives who were laid off from Hallmark during 2020. A devastating event that the chef now views as a blessing in disguise as it jumpstarted his journey of pursing his food fulltime. He has created a cuisine all his own – homestyle Indian with a modern twist. While Ameet specializes in traditional flavors from India, there’s a fusion element to his food as he becomes a cultural mixologist – gathering inspiration from foods all over the world and creating something that is entirely one-of-a-kind. Great examples of this are the cumin chicken bao buns with jalapeño lime corn and his classic appetizer dish of paneer flatbread paired with a citrus coriander chutney. Both dishes are well rounded, palatable, and completely original. Particularly deserving of accolades is the Elephant Wings dessert, masala chai kulfi with dark chocolate. The ice cream finale is jam packed with ambrosial, rich flavors such saffron and pistachios and the chai spice blend is created by the chef himself.
An exceptional experience provided with almost all Elephant Wings’ dinners is the sensational panipuri shot. Panipuri is a common street food in India and a snack that Ameet has pleasant memories going to the street corner with his family to enjoy. His take on this classic street fare consists of a deep-fried crisp flatbread filled with potatoes, moong beans, yogurt, and a date tamarind chutney. The crisp puffed puri is served alongside a bright green drink, the pani - a tantalizing mixture of spices, citrus, and mint infused water. Diners pour the pani into the puri and are encouraged to eat the snack in one bite to relish the flavors all at once. This course is a client favorite and is interactive, unexpected, and positively mouthwatering.
When clients book a private dinner with Elephant Wings, they are not only being served an intricately coursed meal but also an evening with an enthusiastic storyteller. To experience Ameet’s food is to experience Ameet himself as his enthusiasm for his craft is infectious. The chef and entertainer loves to engage with his guests, regaling them with the tales his dishes and even delighting them in the story behind the company’s name (it’s a crowd favorite). Generosity permeates the intimate setting Ameet creates within his dinners as each meal is served with a side of laughter and comradery. Food and atmosphere combine to create a coursed journey fill with moments of intimacy and generosity.
“Food is a way for me to speak to you. That’s me telling the world about me through my food. Food is my voice and cooking is my therapy. I need to do it.”
Elephant Wings creates a worry-free event by taking care of the small details for you. The food, linens, dishes, flatware, and music are all provided by the company, encouraging a truly relaxed setting in which clients can enjoy being a host while Chef Ameet delivers flawless execution. Elephant Wings caters to vegetarians and carnivores alike as well as any allergies. Dinners typically range from five to seven courses. Clients should know they are in good hands with Elephants wings and embrace the chef’s skill of putting together a menu that is sure to sweep you off your feet. Chef Ameet’s energetic social personality and cooking skills are a dynamite combination for an unforgettable evening.
For more information on how you can book an event with Elephant Wings, head to the website www.elephantwingskc.com.
Facebook: Elephant Wings
Instagram: @ElephantWingsKC
