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News.com.au
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
MasterChef fan favourite sent packing in shock elimination, as top five revealed
One of the fan favourites on this season of MasterChef Australia has been eliminated just shy of the grand final. Sunday's high-stakes episode saw the remaining contestants battle it out to make the top five, with debut MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin and most recent victor Nat Thaipun forming part of the special-look judging panel. The current season of the long-running Ten cooking series has seen past stars return to the kitchen for another shot at the title. In Sunday's elimination, Goodwin and Thaipun set the contestants a challenge of creating a meal with ingredients they each used in their respective winning dishes. With just 60 minutes on the clock, Depinder and Ben ultimately came out on top, joining last week's immunity winners Callum and Laura to make up the top four. Sarah and Jamie were then sent to a second round for the final spot, tasked with whipping up yet another dish from Goodwin and Thaipun's pantries. Sarah, who recently went public with her relationship with fellow MasterChef star Declan, set herself the almighty feat of making Pork Assiette – which required her to cook pork three different ways in just 60 minutes. Jamie, meanwhile, leant into classic flavours with roast chicken and vegetables. After a last-minute hurdle, in which Jamie was forced to abandon his failed gnocchi, the first-time returnee was ultimately victorious over Sarah, with the judges unable to look past her undercooked pork belly. The third-time MasterChef competitor, and runner-up in season 14, broke down in tears upon realising she just missed out on the top five, as the judges rallied around her. 'Sarah. You are so unique,' Jean-Christophe Novelli said. 'It is a pleasure watching you cooking. Every single dish you came out with were very different, and please, do not change. 'It's just a bad day in the office. You are so credible. Trust me. I really admire you.' While Sarah didn't make it to the final, the TV cook did leave the show with a new love in her life, Declan, who was eliminated several weeks ago. The pair revealed their secret relationship to Stellar in June, saying they began dating during filming of the latest season in Melbourne. 'We instantly got along and started spending a lot of time together,' Declan, 27, said. 'Nothing was ever rushed or forced – we just enjoyed spending time together. And Sarah, being from Melbourne, knew all the places to go. So we'd go to the beach, or go-karting, and we went out for lots of dinners.' It was Declan who made the first move on Sarah, who has a 14-year-old son, as she faced elimination for the first time. 'I was [panicking]. 'Oh sh*t. I've been spending all this time with this bloody amazing chick and now she might be leaving,'' he told the magazine. 'And so, as she's walking into the elimination [challenge], I said, 'Sarah, can I ask you something? Would you like to go on a date with me?' And she just looked at me and said, 'You're a bloody idiot!'' MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA'S TOP FIVE REVEAL THEIR HIGHLIGHTS: Ben Macdonald, New Zealand 'Travelling to Doha and winning immunity cooking in an Alain Ducasse restaurant. Unforgettable,' Macdonald said. Callum Hann, South Australia 'All the way back on day one, I was lucky enough to be the leader of the Green Team in the Gordon Ramsay service challenge, and we won! Afterwards, Gordon said to me 'if this is how you run your restaurants, I can't wait to make a reservation'. To get that positive reinforcement from one of the best chefs in the world was a pretty incredible feeling. 'Another great memory was our trip to Doha and cooking with so many ingredients in the desert that I've never heard of or seen before. Winning the first immunity challenge of International Week was incredible. 'Cooking with Hugh Allen and Vue de Monde, with another ingredient I wasn't familiar with, was also a very special experience.' Depinder Chhibber, NSW 'My proudest achievement would be winning immunity in the final challenge in Doha. I had a rough week so winning that immunity just made it all worth it. 'My fondest memory is the Dough-Fest team challenge where Callum and I were safe [with immunity] and we got to roam the MasterChef Garden and taste everyone's the dishes.' 'My fondest memory of the season far is definitely winning a business class flight to Doha in the travel challenge. Getting to travel in style with some of my good friends was pretty wild.'
The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Food Bites: Lake Macquarie local in MasterChef: Back to Win top 8
If you're not watching MasterChef Australia: Back to Win right now, you're missing out on some world-class cooking from the top eight contestants. One of them is Lake Macquarie pharmacist, cook and mother-of-two Depinder Chhibber, who bowled over the judges with her decadent Raj Kachori in a recent episode. She's a popular contestant, and for good reason. Talking to her on Monday, I was struck by her intellect, her sense of humour, and her generosity of spirit ... not to mention her cooking talent. I'll be sharing the finer details of our chat in a Saturday Weekender soon. Depinder moved to Australia from India at the age of 11 and grew up in the suburbs of Lake Macquarie, attending St Paul's Catholic College at Booragul and Merewether High School. She still resides in the area with her family and works part-time as a pharmacist. Also, Depinder's intimate supper club, Ghar, is up and running again and already booked out until October ... details are on her socials. MasterChef Australia: Back to Win airs Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10. I stopped by QT Newcastle last week to meet Jana Restaurant & Bar's new executive chef, Carmine Mari, and sample his southern Italian-influenced menu. There's a lot of love in his cooking. Each dish is a nod to family, culture and tradition. It makes him proud to share the food he grew up with, you can tell. The thin-sliced roasted veal girello and tuna sauce with capers, pickled onion and croutons, as a starter, was a stand-out. I also loved the tuna crudo with blood orange, capers, Spanish onion and crispy shallot, and the burrata with ciambotta. The QT Lasagna with mortadella, zucchini, pistachio, smoked provolone and chilli potato gnocchi, and the potato gnocchi with Manjimup Black Truffle, sauteed field mushroom and parmesan? Wow. Then there was the delightful half-roast chicken with chicory, fregola, panchetta and jus gras pork cotoletta, and the dry-aged duck breast with roast beetroot, celeriac puree and Hunter Valley red wine reduction. Do yourself a favour and book a table for dinner. Babbingtons Restaurant & Bar at the Apollo International Hotel in Charlestown is turning 40. It's hosted countless special occasions over four decades, and is a bit of a hidden gem, really. Favourable word of mouth leads many a curious diner there. "Babbingtons has always been more than just a restaurant - it's a place where memories are made," said Apollo's sales and marketing co-ordinator Maree Bendeich. "We've had the privilege of being part of our guests' special moments for decades, and we're looking forward to being part of many more to come." To mark this 40-year milestone, Babbingtons is hosting a cocktail celebration from 6pm on Friday, August 16, and you're invited. Phonic Duo will be performing, and there will be wine tastings by Oatley Wines. Tickets are $40 and include a limited-edition glass to take home as a keepsake. Book now through Sticky Tickets or email sales@ Comedian Merrick Watts is bringing An Idiot's Guide to Wine: Volume 2 to Newcastle's Spiegeltent on September 13 and 14. He's a qualified wine expert who judges at some of the most prestigious wine shows around the country, and on the night will be introducing people to six stand-out Australian wines, sharing tasting notes and snack pairings as well as plenty of highly questionable words of wisdom. Tickets are on sale now. Real McCoy, via VOK Beverages, recently sent me an interesting pitch: "Not all whiskeys are made for quiet reflection. Some are built to show up bold, smooth, and ready to turn any night into a good one." Intrigued, I sampled two of their new flavoured whiskey liqueurs, the Real McCoy Salted Caramel and the Real McCoy Buttered Popcorn. The Salted Caramel is silky and rich, with notes of creamy vanilla, toasty caramel, and a touch of sea salt, layered with hints of oak and butterscotch. A fine addition to an espresso martini. The Buttered Popcorn blends vanilla, caramel and butter with toasted oak, and works well with a whiskey sour. "With Real McCoy, we set out to redefine what a whiskey liqueur could be," brand manager Joh Einarson said. "We've focused on bold but balanced flavours crafted to be layered, versatile and genuinely enjoyable." It gets people talking at a social gathering, that's for sure. Details at Paired at Peregrin returns to The Beach Hotel at Merewether next Friday, July 25. This time around, the popular long-table dinner is a five-course truffle degustation featuring Gilbert Family Wines and Oakshade Truffles. Winemaker Will Gilbert and Oakshade Truffles owner Matt will share the passion and craft behind their produce, and you'll receive a drink on arrival. Tickets are $155 per person at And here's a sneak peek at the menu, which includes beef cheek and truffle vol-au-vent with shaved fresh truffle and pecorino; traditionelle half-shell scallop with pork belly and truffle polenta; prawn and truffle raviolo with truffle-cured egg yolk and burnt butter sauce; and lamb wellington with chard leaves, prosciutto, truffle and shiraz jus. Yum. Pilgrim's Pizzas has opened at 21 Main Road, Boolaroo. And, speaking of, Parks Bistro at Boolaroo Sports Club has a new, budget-friendly lunch specials menu. Goodtime Burgers are back at The Exchange for one weekend only, July 25 to 27. The Flotilla's new Late Winter Menu has launched. Fermento Pizza Joint has opened at 436 Maitland Road, Mayfield. Esca Bimbadgen is hosting a 1920s-inspired Speakeasy night on Friday, July 25. If you're not watching MasterChef Australia: Back to Win right now, you're missing out on some world-class cooking from the top eight contestants. One of them is Lake Macquarie pharmacist, cook and mother-of-two Depinder Chhibber, who bowled over the judges with her decadent Raj Kachori in a recent episode. She's a popular contestant, and for good reason. Talking to her on Monday, I was struck by her intellect, her sense of humour, and her generosity of spirit ... not to mention her cooking talent. I'll be sharing the finer details of our chat in a Saturday Weekender soon. Depinder moved to Australia from India at the age of 11 and grew up in the suburbs of Lake Macquarie, attending St Paul's Catholic College at Booragul and Merewether High School. She still resides in the area with her family and works part-time as a pharmacist. Also, Depinder's intimate supper club, Ghar, is up and running again and already booked out until October ... details are on her socials. MasterChef Australia: Back to Win airs Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10. I stopped by QT Newcastle last week to meet Jana Restaurant & Bar's new executive chef, Carmine Mari, and sample his southern Italian-influenced menu. There's a lot of love in his cooking. Each dish is a nod to family, culture and tradition. It makes him proud to share the food he grew up with, you can tell. The thin-sliced roasted veal girello and tuna sauce with capers, pickled onion and croutons, as a starter, was a stand-out. I also loved the tuna crudo with blood orange, capers, Spanish onion and crispy shallot, and the burrata with ciambotta. The QT Lasagna with mortadella, zucchini, pistachio, smoked provolone and chilli potato gnocchi, and the potato gnocchi with Manjimup Black Truffle, sauteed field mushroom and parmesan? Wow. Then there was the delightful half-roast chicken with chicory, fregola, panchetta and jus gras pork cotoletta, and the dry-aged duck breast with roast beetroot, celeriac puree and Hunter Valley red wine reduction. Do yourself a favour and book a table for dinner. Babbingtons Restaurant & Bar at the Apollo International Hotel in Charlestown is turning 40. It's hosted countless special occasions over four decades, and is a bit of a hidden gem, really. Favourable word of mouth leads many a curious diner there. "Babbingtons has always been more than just a restaurant - it's a place where memories are made," said Apollo's sales and marketing co-ordinator Maree Bendeich. "We've had the privilege of being part of our guests' special moments for decades, and we're looking forward to being part of many more to come." To mark this 40-year milestone, Babbingtons is hosting a cocktail celebration from 6pm on Friday, August 16, and you're invited. Phonic Duo will be performing, and there will be wine tastings by Oatley Wines. Tickets are $40 and include a limited-edition glass to take home as a keepsake. Book now through Sticky Tickets or email sales@ Comedian Merrick Watts is bringing An Idiot's Guide to Wine: Volume 2 to Newcastle's Spiegeltent on September 13 and 14. He's a qualified wine expert who judges at some of the most prestigious wine shows around the country, and on the night will be introducing people to six stand-out Australian wines, sharing tasting notes and snack pairings as well as plenty of highly questionable words of wisdom. Tickets are on sale now. Real McCoy, via VOK Beverages, recently sent me an interesting pitch: "Not all whiskeys are made for quiet reflection. Some are built to show up bold, smooth, and ready to turn any night into a good one." Intrigued, I sampled two of their new flavoured whiskey liqueurs, the Real McCoy Salted Caramel and the Real McCoy Buttered Popcorn. The Salted Caramel is silky and rich, with notes of creamy vanilla, toasty caramel, and a touch of sea salt, layered with hints of oak and butterscotch. A fine addition to an espresso martini. The Buttered Popcorn blends vanilla, caramel and butter with toasted oak, and works well with a whiskey sour. "With Real McCoy, we set out to redefine what a whiskey liqueur could be," brand manager Joh Einarson said. "We've focused on bold but balanced flavours crafted to be layered, versatile and genuinely enjoyable." It gets people talking at a social gathering, that's for sure. Details at Paired at Peregrin returns to The Beach Hotel at Merewether next Friday, July 25. This time around, the popular long-table dinner is a five-course truffle degustation featuring Gilbert Family Wines and Oakshade Truffles. Winemaker Will Gilbert and Oakshade Truffles owner Matt will share the passion and craft behind their produce, and you'll receive a drink on arrival. Tickets are $155 per person at And here's a sneak peek at the menu, which includes beef cheek and truffle vol-au-vent with shaved fresh truffle and pecorino; traditionelle half-shell scallop with pork belly and truffle polenta; prawn and truffle raviolo with truffle-cured egg yolk and burnt butter sauce; and lamb wellington with chard leaves, prosciutto, truffle and shiraz jus. Yum. Pilgrim's Pizzas has opened at 21 Main Road, Boolaroo. And, speaking of, Parks Bistro at Boolaroo Sports Club has a new, budget-friendly lunch specials menu. Goodtime Burgers are back at The Exchange for one weekend only, July 25 to 27. The Flotilla's new Late Winter Menu has launched. Fermento Pizza Joint has opened at 436 Maitland Road, Mayfield. Esca Bimbadgen is hosting a 1920s-inspired Speakeasy night on Friday, July 25. If you're not watching MasterChef Australia: Back to Win right now, you're missing out on some world-class cooking from the top eight contestants. One of them is Lake Macquarie pharmacist, cook and mother-of-two Depinder Chhibber, who bowled over the judges with her decadent Raj Kachori in a recent episode. She's a popular contestant, and for good reason. Talking to her on Monday, I was struck by her intellect, her sense of humour, and her generosity of spirit ... not to mention her cooking talent. I'll be sharing the finer details of our chat in a Saturday Weekender soon. Depinder moved to Australia from India at the age of 11 and grew up in the suburbs of Lake Macquarie, attending St Paul's Catholic College at Booragul and Merewether High School. She still resides in the area with her family and works part-time as a pharmacist. Also, Depinder's intimate supper club, Ghar, is up and running again and already booked out until October ... details are on her socials. MasterChef Australia: Back to Win airs Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10. I stopped by QT Newcastle last week to meet Jana Restaurant & Bar's new executive chef, Carmine Mari, and sample his southern Italian-influenced menu. There's a lot of love in his cooking. Each dish is a nod to family, culture and tradition. It makes him proud to share the food he grew up with, you can tell. The thin-sliced roasted veal girello and tuna sauce with capers, pickled onion and croutons, as a starter, was a stand-out. I also loved the tuna crudo with blood orange, capers, Spanish onion and crispy shallot, and the burrata with ciambotta. The QT Lasagna with mortadella, zucchini, pistachio, smoked provolone and chilli potato gnocchi, and the potato gnocchi with Manjimup Black Truffle, sauteed field mushroom and parmesan? Wow. Then there was the delightful half-roast chicken with chicory, fregola, panchetta and jus gras pork cotoletta, and the dry-aged duck breast with roast beetroot, celeriac puree and Hunter Valley red wine reduction. Do yourself a favour and book a table for dinner. Babbingtons Restaurant & Bar at the Apollo International Hotel in Charlestown is turning 40. It's hosted countless special occasions over four decades, and is a bit of a hidden gem, really. Favourable word of mouth leads many a curious diner there. "Babbingtons has always been more than just a restaurant - it's a place where memories are made," said Apollo's sales and marketing co-ordinator Maree Bendeich. "We've had the privilege of being part of our guests' special moments for decades, and we're looking forward to being part of many more to come." To mark this 40-year milestone, Babbingtons is hosting a cocktail celebration from 6pm on Friday, August 16, and you're invited. Phonic Duo will be performing, and there will be wine tastings by Oatley Wines. Tickets are $40 and include a limited-edition glass to take home as a keepsake. Book now through Sticky Tickets or email sales@ Comedian Merrick Watts is bringing An Idiot's Guide to Wine: Volume 2 to Newcastle's Spiegeltent on September 13 and 14. He's a qualified wine expert who judges at some of the most prestigious wine shows around the country, and on the night will be introducing people to six stand-out Australian wines, sharing tasting notes and snack pairings as well as plenty of highly questionable words of wisdom. Tickets are on sale now. Real McCoy, via VOK Beverages, recently sent me an interesting pitch: "Not all whiskeys are made for quiet reflection. Some are built to show up bold, smooth, and ready to turn any night into a good one." Intrigued, I sampled two of their new flavoured whiskey liqueurs, the Real McCoy Salted Caramel and the Real McCoy Buttered Popcorn. The Salted Caramel is silky and rich, with notes of creamy vanilla, toasty caramel, and a touch of sea salt, layered with hints of oak and butterscotch. A fine addition to an espresso martini. The Buttered Popcorn blends vanilla, caramel and butter with toasted oak, and works well with a whiskey sour. "With Real McCoy, we set out to redefine what a whiskey liqueur could be," brand manager Joh Einarson said. "We've focused on bold but balanced flavours crafted to be layered, versatile and genuinely enjoyable." It gets people talking at a social gathering, that's for sure. Details at Paired at Peregrin returns to The Beach Hotel at Merewether next Friday, July 25. This time around, the popular long-table dinner is a five-course truffle degustation featuring Gilbert Family Wines and Oakshade Truffles. Winemaker Will Gilbert and Oakshade Truffles owner Matt will share the passion and craft behind their produce, and you'll receive a drink on arrival. Tickets are $155 per person at And here's a sneak peek at the menu, which includes beef cheek and truffle vol-au-vent with shaved fresh truffle and pecorino; traditionelle half-shell scallop with pork belly and truffle polenta; prawn and truffle raviolo with truffle-cured egg yolk and burnt butter sauce; and lamb wellington with chard leaves, prosciutto, truffle and shiraz jus. Yum. Pilgrim's Pizzas has opened at 21 Main Road, Boolaroo. And, speaking of, Parks Bistro at Boolaroo Sports Club has a new, budget-friendly lunch specials menu. Goodtime Burgers are back at The Exchange for one weekend only, July 25 to 27. The Flotilla's new Late Winter Menu has launched. Fermento Pizza Joint has opened at 436 Maitland Road, Mayfield. Esca Bimbadgen is hosting a 1920s-inspired Speakeasy night on Friday, July 25. If you're not watching MasterChef Australia: Back to Win right now, you're missing out on some world-class cooking from the top eight contestants. One of them is Lake Macquarie pharmacist, cook and mother-of-two Depinder Chhibber, who bowled over the judges with her decadent Raj Kachori in a recent episode. She's a popular contestant, and for good reason. Talking to her on Monday, I was struck by her intellect, her sense of humour, and her generosity of spirit ... not to mention her cooking talent. I'll be sharing the finer details of our chat in a Saturday Weekender soon. Depinder moved to Australia from India at the age of 11 and grew up in the suburbs of Lake Macquarie, attending St Paul's Catholic College at Booragul and Merewether High School. She still resides in the area with her family and works part-time as a pharmacist. Also, Depinder's intimate supper club, Ghar, is up and running again and already booked out until October ... details are on her socials. MasterChef Australia: Back to Win airs Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10. I stopped by QT Newcastle last week to meet Jana Restaurant & Bar's new executive chef, Carmine Mari, and sample his southern Italian-influenced menu. There's a lot of love in his cooking. Each dish is a nod to family, culture and tradition. It makes him proud to share the food he grew up with, you can tell. The thin-sliced roasted veal girello and tuna sauce with capers, pickled onion and croutons, as a starter, was a stand-out. I also loved the tuna crudo with blood orange, capers, Spanish onion and crispy shallot, and the burrata with ciambotta. The QT Lasagna with mortadella, zucchini, pistachio, smoked provolone and chilli potato gnocchi, and the potato gnocchi with Manjimup Black Truffle, sauteed field mushroom and parmesan? Wow. Then there was the delightful half-roast chicken with chicory, fregola, panchetta and jus gras pork cotoletta, and the dry-aged duck breast with roast beetroot, celeriac puree and Hunter Valley red wine reduction. Do yourself a favour and book a table for dinner. Babbingtons Restaurant & Bar at the Apollo International Hotel in Charlestown is turning 40. It's hosted countless special occasions over four decades, and is a bit of a hidden gem, really. Favourable word of mouth leads many a curious diner there. "Babbingtons has always been more than just a restaurant - it's a place where memories are made," said Apollo's sales and marketing co-ordinator Maree Bendeich. "We've had the privilege of being part of our guests' special moments for decades, and we're looking forward to being part of many more to come." To mark this 40-year milestone, Babbingtons is hosting a cocktail celebration from 6pm on Friday, August 16, and you're invited. Phonic Duo will be performing, and there will be wine tastings by Oatley Wines. Tickets are $40 and include a limited-edition glass to take home as a keepsake. Book now through Sticky Tickets or email sales@ Comedian Merrick Watts is bringing An Idiot's Guide to Wine: Volume 2 to Newcastle's Spiegeltent on September 13 and 14. He's a qualified wine expert who judges at some of the most prestigious wine shows around the country, and on the night will be introducing people to six stand-out Australian wines, sharing tasting notes and snack pairings as well as plenty of highly questionable words of wisdom. Tickets are on sale now. Real McCoy, via VOK Beverages, recently sent me an interesting pitch: "Not all whiskeys are made for quiet reflection. Some are built to show up bold, smooth, and ready to turn any night into a good one." Intrigued, I sampled two of their new flavoured whiskey liqueurs, the Real McCoy Salted Caramel and the Real McCoy Buttered Popcorn. The Salted Caramel is silky and rich, with notes of creamy vanilla, toasty caramel, and a touch of sea salt, layered with hints of oak and butterscotch. A fine addition to an espresso martini. The Buttered Popcorn blends vanilla, caramel and butter with toasted oak, and works well with a whiskey sour. "With Real McCoy, we set out to redefine what a whiskey liqueur could be," brand manager Joh Einarson said. "We've focused on bold but balanced flavours crafted to be layered, versatile and genuinely enjoyable." It gets people talking at a social gathering, that's for sure. Details at Paired at Peregrin returns to The Beach Hotel at Merewether next Friday, July 25. This time around, the popular long-table dinner is a five-course truffle degustation featuring Gilbert Family Wines and Oakshade Truffles. Winemaker Will Gilbert and Oakshade Truffles owner Matt will share the passion and craft behind their produce, and you'll receive a drink on arrival. Tickets are $155 per person at And here's a sneak peek at the menu, which includes beef cheek and truffle vol-au-vent with shaved fresh truffle and pecorino; traditionelle half-shell scallop with pork belly and truffle polenta; prawn and truffle raviolo with truffle-cured egg yolk and burnt butter sauce; and lamb wellington with chard leaves, prosciutto, truffle and shiraz jus. Yum. Pilgrim's Pizzas has opened at 21 Main Road, Boolaroo. And, speaking of, Parks Bistro at Boolaroo Sports Club has a new, budget-friendly lunch specials menu. Goodtime Burgers are back at The Exchange for one weekend only, July 25 to 27. The Flotilla's new Late Winter Menu has launched. Fermento Pizza Joint has opened at 436 Maitland Road, Mayfield. Esca Bimbadgen is hosting a 1920s-inspired Speakeasy night on Friday, July 25.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
MasterChef Australia contestant makes Raj kachori, judges call it ‘seamlessly chaotic'
Indian street foods like pani puri, vada pav, dabeli, aloo tikki, and more have been gaining global attention, thanks to travel influencers diving into the stories and traditions behind these flavourful dishes. Indian-origin chef Depinder Chhibber, who won hearts with her culinary skill in MasterChef Australia Season 13, has made an exciting return in the show's 17th season. Back on the global stage, the Delhi-born chef is once again representing Indian cuisine, and this time, she's doing it with a street food classic that holds a special place in her heart, Raj kachori. In a recent episode, Chhibber transported the judges straight to the bustling streets of Delhi with her take on this iconic snack. In a viral video, she assembled the dish live in front of the judges, beginning by delicately piercing a hole in the crisp kachori shell. Inside, she layered in boiled moong sprouts, spiced potatoes, and chickpeas. She then poured in spiced curd, followed by generous drizzles of sweet tamarind and green chutneys. Taking it a step further, she added more curd, decorating both the filling and the kachori's outer shell. The final plating came with a sprinkle of Kashmiri chilli, pomegranate arils, and crunchy sev. The judges were wowed by the dish, describing it as 'seamlessly chaotic', 'lovely', and 'wonderful'. So impressed were they that they crowned Chhibber the 'Queen of Raj Kachori'. Watch here: A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau) Several social media users hailed Chhibber, with one of them saying, 'Depinder really representing Indian street food like a pro.' Another user commented, 'Just so good to see Depinder beautifully presenting Indian Street food.' 'I had it yesterday in delhi, and as an Indian looking at this video rn, its making me tear up. Thank you @depinder_ for doing this for all of us,' a third user reacted. Last year, Indian-origin contestant Sumeet Saigal left the MasterChef Australia judges in awe after she served them a plate of the beloved Indian snack pani puri.
NDTV
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
MasterChef Australia Contestant Depinder Chhibber Makes Raj Kachori; Earns Praises
Indian-origin chef Depinder Chhibber, who wowed audiences with her culinary skills in MasterChef Australia Season 13, recently made a comeback on the show in its ongoing 17th season. The Delhi-born contestant has been showcasing the rich and diverse flavours of India on the international stage. In the latest episode, Depinder whipped up a classic street food dish from her hometown, Delhi. Can you guess what it was? None other than Raj Kachori. She prepared all the components of the dish at her kitchen station and assembled it in front of the judges. Also Read: Depinder begins by poking a hole in the kachori. She then adds some boiled or steamed moong sprouts inside, followed by a serving of spiced potatoes and chickpeas. The next step is to pour in spiced curd, which is topped with sweet tamarind and green chutney. She adds a bit more curd to the dish and also uses it to decorate the outer layer of the kachori, followed by drizzles of red and green chutneys. For the final touch, she garnishes the kachori with Kashmiri chilli, pomegranate arils and a sprinkle of sev. The judges described Raj Kachori as "seamlessly chaotic", "lovely", and "wonderful". The dish even got her the name - "Queen of Raj Kachori" - from the judges. Watch the full viral video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau) Depinder Chhibber also shared a carousel of pictures on Instagram and showcased the glorious dish. In the caption, she wrote, "Raj Kachori - Undoubtedly this dish captivates the essence of street food in my hometown, New Delhi, also one of my personal favourites. Extremely technical to create and construct (the wonderful artisans who work on the streets in Delhi make it look so easy, respect), delicious and an absolute flavour bomb! I could write a book on it." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Depinder Chhibber (@depinder_) Raj Kachori is a popular Indian street food, featuring a crispy, hollow puri filled with a variety of savoury and tangy ingredients. Believed to have originated in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan, this delicacy has gained popularity across North India. For those unfamiliar, 'Raj' in Hindi means 'royal' or 'grand,' reflecting the rich and indulgent stuffing inside the kachori. It is typically topped with generous amounts of yoghurt, spices, cilantro chutney, sweet tamarind chutney, sev and pomegranate arils – creating a true explosion of flavours. Click here for an easy and quick recipe for raj kachori.
India Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Indian-origin contestant's Raj Kachori impresses MasterChef Australia judges. Watch
After Aslam's Butter Chicken, MasterChef Australia'' contestant Depinder Chhibber's Raj Kachori wowed the judges. So much so that judge Sofia Levin said, "If Raj Kachori is the king of street food, you're the queen."If you've followed MasterChef Australia over the years, you'll likely remember Depinder, who impressed the judges with her Indian meal — Chhole, Kadhai Paneer, Gobhi Paratha, Bhindi Fry, Stir Fried Rice, and a pickle made from her grandma's special recipe. She was part of MasterChef Australia Season 13. advertisementThis time, she shared a piece of her childhood by plating the popular Indian street food, Raj Kachori. As she served the dish to the judges, Depinder called it a special moment, saying, "because this dish captures my childhood." As Depinder assembled her Raj Kachori with spiced potatoes, chickpeas, spiced yogurt with vara, and chutneys, the judges were heard saying, "I'm salivating, fixated."Along with the food, the contestant also served the memories attached to this lip-smacking street food. Speaking about it, Depinder became emotional. "I don't know why I'm crying. I've had this all my life. I used to get the whole thing. My mum and dad were like, 'Dude, you're not going to be able to eat this by yourself.' I'd say, 'I will,' but I never could finish it," she shared, as the dish transported her back in time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau)As the judges tried the Raj Kachori, Depinder eagerly awaited their reactions. Chef Andy Allen enjoyed the street food, commenting, "There's just so much going on. And it works seamlessly, all of your senses are going wild. I can only explain it in looks, taste, and texture. It reminds me of how I describe India - seamlessly chaotic."Must Watch
