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US chef’s leftover Indian food cake has the Internet losing its mind: ‘Crime against my culture’

Chef Josh Elkin transformed his leftover Indian food into a Chicken Tikka Masala Cake, layering naan, chicken tikka masala, chicken biryani, and more into a unique creation.

Josh Elkin's 'Chicken Tikka Masala Cake' video has over six lakh views on Instagram

What do you usually do with your leftover food? Most people either store it in the fridge for later or share it with others. But US Chef Josh Elkin takes things to a whole new level. A self-proclaimed Indian food lover, Elkin recently revealed his unconventional way of dealing with leftovers, and let’s just say — it has sparked some serious debate online.

In a viral video, Elkin explains, “Indian food is definitely one of my favourites, and I always over-order. You guys ask me all the time, what do you do with your leftovers? Well, I tend to make cakes out of them!” He then goes on to make a ‘Chicken Tikka Masala Cake’.

Yes, you read that right. A Chicken Tikka Masala Cake. His creation is a multi-layered masterpiece (or monstrosity, depending on who you ask), stacked with naan, chicken tikka masala, chicken biryani, raita, and topped off with mint yogurt chutney. And because no cake is complete without toppings, he adds crispy onion bhajis and sirke wale pyaaz (pickled red onions) for the final touch. “Because let’s be honest—everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too,” he says with a grin.

Watch the viral video:

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The video, which has racked up over 6 lakh views made a lot of netizens react to it. One user compared the experience to culinary blasphemy: “As an Indian, this made me finally realise how Italians feel when spaghetti is broken.” Another joked, “You need better planning if this is the amount of leftovers you have.”

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The reactions only got funnier from there. “That’s a crime against my culture! My lawyers will be contacting you soon!” one person wrote, while another dramatically declared, “I’m not a violent person, but I’m going to go punch air.”

Some even (sarcastically, of course) called for Elkin’s immediate arrest for his food experiment.