In Conversation with Chef Pankaj Bhadouria: From Classroom to Kitchen, and Holidays That Heal the Soul
In a heartfelt episode of Magical Memories, presented by Club Mahindra in association with The Indian Express, celebrated chef and MasterChef India winner Chef Pankaj Bhadouria joins host Khyati Rajanshi to share her inspiring journey of transformation, resilience, and the simple joy of family holidays.
Before MasterChef, Pankaj spent 16 years as a teacher. But a TV promo featuring Akshay Kumar sparked a new dream. 'My kids said, 'Mom, you have to go audition—you cook so well!'' she recalls. It wasn't a planned switch, but a heart-led leap, which took her from a 3,000-strong queue in Lucknow to winning MasterChef India – at the cost of a stable job and peer scepticism.
'You're not going for cooking; you're chasing glamour,' she was told. From TV shows and books to her academy and digital content, Pankaj wears many hats. Through it all, her family is her anchor. 'Everything works out when you have love and support surrounding you,' she says.
Growing up in Delhi, food and family went hand in hand. Despite losing her father at a young age, Pankaj's memories are rich with warmth. She recalls winter afternoons spent sitting on the kitchen slab with her brother, tearing rotis straight from the pan. 'There was no screen time – just stories, smells, and shared meals,' she says.
Both her parents were excellent cooks, and the kitchen was always alive with aromas and activity. Her mother, who learned cooking from her father and grandmother, passed on more than just recipes – she passed on the spirit of togetherness.
For Pankaj, early vacations meant trips to Gazipur or Himachal. With success, holidays became meaningful pauses to connect. A favourite was the Deccan Odyssey luxury train ride with her family across Mumbai, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. 'It was our way of being tourists and royalty at the same time,' she laughs.
Another highlight is Disneyland in the U.S. after a work trip. 'I always wanted to go, and so did my daughter. It was pure magic at every age.' From camping in Kanatal to European tours and Indian adventures, her travels are about people, not just places. 'Even today, dinner is a non-negotiable family event. We debrief, share laughs, and bond,' she says.
In true chef fashion, Pankaj's holiday memories often involve food. From the men in her family cooking a feast on a trip to sharing sandwiches in European convenience stores, meals have always been memory markers.
And traditions run deep. 'Christmas is big in our home – Secret Santa, a decorated tree, and baking together as a family,' she shares. 'We may travel the world, but these rituals ground us.'
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