Latest news with #MasterChefIndia
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
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.' Make Your Family Holidays Magical From sun-kissed beaches to lush jungles, serene backwaters to majestic hills, vast deserts to captivating international locations – Club Mahindra has it all! Create unforgettable memories by embarking on a magical journey with our 140+ resorts across different terrains and amazingly unique experiences. Disclaimer: This content is sponsored and does not reflect the views or opinions of IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd. No journalist is involved in creating sponsored material and it does not imply any endorsement whatsoever by the editorial team. IE Online Media Services takes no responsibility for the content that appears in sponsored articles and the consequences thereof, directly, indirectly or in any manner. Viewer discretion is advised.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Flavours of home: 4 celebrity chefs share how their cultural roots and tradition inspire their cooking
Food has a way of taking you places, even without leaving your home. For many, it's more than just about taste, it's a way to honour their roots, tell stories passed down through generations, and celebrate the local flavours they grew up with. HT Lifestyle has reached out to four passionate celebrity chefs who shared how their cultural heritage and regional ingredients shape their cooking. (Also read: Do you use sunflower, soybean oil? Health experts discuss why you might want to rethink cooking with seed oils ) "For me, home isn't defined by just one culture; it's a beautiful mix of where I come from and where I grew up. I'm a Marwadi by heritage, but I was born and brought up in Tamil Nadu. So, my kitchen has always been a place where two very distinct traditions meet and come alive through food," says Aruna Vijay, chef and MasterChef India 2023 Finalist. A post shared by Aruna Vijay (@aruna_vijay_masterchef) She adds, "At home, we cook hearty Marwadi dishes like dal baati, ker sangri, and gatte ki sabzi, recipes passed down by my mother and grandmother, full of spice and warmth. That's the food of my blood; that is the food of my people. But then there's the land that raised me. The tang of rasam, the comfort of curd rice, and the rich coconut of Tamil cooking, those flavours are equally part of me." Reflecting on how living between two cultures shaped her perspective, she says, "Even though I belong to one community, the place I grew up in has shaped my palate, my style, and my stories. It's in the balance between tradition and experience that my cooking finds its soul." Sharing her experience, Kriti Dhiman, chef and MasterChef India Season 8 contestant, says, "Coming from a small town in Punjab, Mandi Gobindgarh, my culinary journey has always been deeply intertwined with my cultural roots. Growing up amidst bustling markets and roadside tandoors, food was never just a meal, it was a celebration, a legacy passed down from one generation to the next." She adds, 'As a child, these experiences weren't just about cooking. They were about community, connection, and identity. They taught me the value of authenticity. Yet, as someone who dreams beyond borders, I've always been fascinated by the possibilities that lie in blending tradition with innovation. That curiosity became the spark behind my style of cooking.' A post shared by Masterchef Kriti Dhiman (@kriti_kaur_dhiman) Talking about how MasterChef India Season 8 became a turning point, she says, "It gave me the platform to express this vision. I wasn't just representing myself, I was representing the spirit of my hometown. One of my proudest moments on the show was creating a dessert that combined the essence of Punjabi panjiri with the finesse of French pâtisserie. It wasn't just a fusion dish, it was something that transcended borders." "I believe in evolution with respect. Every time I add a contemporary twist to a traditional recipe, I make sure it still honours the story it came from. My cultural heritage is my creative compass, and I'm proud that my cooking speaks with the accent of my roots and the imagination of my dreams," she concludes. Sharing her experience, Chef Sneha Singhi shared, ' My Marwari roots have deeply shaped the way I approach food and cooking. I grew up watching my dadi prepare quick, wholesome meals with incredible love and ease. Every dish was made in shudh desi ghee and with the freshest ingredients, there was a rhythm and purpose to her cooking that went beyond just feeding the family. What inspired me most was her generosity; she didn't just cook for us. She cooked for neighbours, the house help, my tuition teachers, school teachers, and friends, anyone who happened to be around.' A post shared by Sneha Singhi Upadhaya (@snehasinghi1) She continues, 'There was something beautiful about how food in our home wasn't just sustenance; it was a gesture of care, respect, and belonging. Whether it was a simple dal baati churma or a quick sabzi and roti, every meal had soul. That spirit stays with me even today in everything I create. I always aim to bring that same warmth, inclusivity, and honesty to my recipes, where food tells a story, connects people, and carries the comfort of home.' Chef and influencer Aishwarya Sonvane shares, 'My cooking is a blend of Maharashtrian, Kannada, and Andhra flavours, all the cultural influences I grew up with. My mom is Maharashtrian, my dad's side is from Karnataka, and we've always lived in Nanded, right on the Andhra border. So naturally, the food at home was never from just one region. It was a little bit of everything, and that's what makes it special.' A post shared by Aishwarya sonvane (@myflavourfuljourney) She continues, "Rice has always been the centre of our meals, whether it's lemon rice, kairi rice, or tamarind rice; each one is packed with bold, sour flavours that remind me of home. Food was never plain in our house; there was always tamarind in the dals, sometimes raw mango, and always that punch of spice. My nani is Telugu, both my cousin sisters married into Andhra families, and that side of the family brought in fiery biryanis and rich curries. On the other hand, Maharashtrian dishes like bharleli vangi and puran poli were reserved for festivals and family gatherings." Reflecting on her approach to cooking, she says, "For me, cooking has never been about sticking to one style; it's about storytelling. Every dish carries a memory, a tradition, or a taste that's been passed down. My cultural roots have given me a palette full of flavours, and that's what I love bringing to every plate I serve."
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celebrity Masterchef fame Ranveer Brar manifests his Met Gala look with his best friend; find out here
Celebrity chef and MasterChef India judge Ranveer Brar is winning the internet with his hilarious take on the Met Gala. On a day when fashion icons walked the red carpet in couture masterpieces, Brar served his own flavourful version of the iconic event—with a garnish of desi in a tailored pista green suit, the celebrity chef posed for the camera surrounded by bundles of fresh coriander. Captioning the post, he cheekily wrote, 'Manifesting my Met Gala walk with my प्रिय मित्र Dhaniya.' Within minutes, fans flooded the comments with witty reactions. One user crowned him 'Dhanveer Brar' while another quipped, 'METhi Gala.' The lighthearted moment not only showcased Ranveer's signature wit but also his deep-rooted connection with food has been a beloved television personality for over a decade, but few know about the grit behind the glamour. On a recent podcast with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Ranveer got candid about his early struggles in the USA. 'Restaurants shut down, I've slept on the streets,' he revealed. 'But I restarted from scratch, and opened eight restaurants with Shingara paaji. When my father fell ill, I came back to India and never looked also recalled his modest beginnings on television: 'A channel didn't have money and asked me to shoot for free. I agreed and worked for 10 days. The show—'Breakfast Express'—became a hit. I didn't even know how to face the camera, but people loved it.'From cooking on-screen to manifesting Met Gala moments with herbs, Ranveer Brar continues to spice things up with heart, humour, and humility—proving once again that food (and fashion) is always better with a desi twist.
FACT
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
MasterChef India's Karishma Sakhrani opens The Viceroy's Table in Dubai
The menu combines British and Indian flavours. The UAE is home to world-class restaurants, from homegrown talent to celebrity chefs. Now, MasterChef India finalist Karishma Sakhrani is adding some star power to Dubai's dining scene. Located in the Hyatt Place Hotel, Jumeirah, The Viceroy's Table will open soon and showcase British Indian food. The Viceroy's Table draws its name from the Viceroys of India, and the last one was Lord Mountbatten, who was the uncle of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The concept aims to revive old clubs in India. The Viceroy's Table will have a novel approach to its fusion of flavours. While the full menu has not yet been revealed, we know it will bring together contemporary Indian cuisine and seasonal British ingredients. The menu will include chatpata sharing plates, tandoor dishes and cocktails infused with Indian spices. Karishma featured on season four of MasterChef India. The competitive cooking programme is based on the original British TV show, MasterChef. The season featured Indian chefs Sanjeev Kapoor and Vikas Khanna as judges. Vikas also has a restaurant in Dubai, Kinara by Vikas Khanna, which is located in JA Lake View Hotel in Jebel Ali. Hyatt Place Hotel, Jumeirah is also home to a range of restaurants and bars. The venues include Focus Bar for bites and beverages, Focus Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as international cuisine; and Wox for Pan-Asian food, featuring noodles to wok dishes. The Viceroy's Table will be open daily from 11am to 3am. Check in with FACT for the best things to do in London. GO: Visit for more information.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Abinas Nayak
Abinas Nayak transitioned from a technical analyst at Infosys to a celebrated chef after winning MasterChef India Season 6 in 2020. His innovative dishes, like 'Litti Chokha Cone ' and 'Chenna Panna,' have been widely acclaimed. As a culinary expert, he shares his visually stunning recipes with a strong emphasis on regional Indian cuisine, especially Odia dishes. Beyond his MasterChef title, Abinas co-founded Rroshashala, a culinary venture, and has been recognized with awards such as the Hungry for Haldiram Cooking Contest in 2018. He is also a TEDx speaker, sharing his journey from engineering to the culinary arts.
