Clarion India
IN a remarkable achievement, Mohammed Aashiq, a 24-year-old chef from Mangaluru, has claimed victory in the latest season of MasterChef India. The popular reality show, known for showcasing exceptional culinary talents, premiered on Sony Liv from October 16, featuring home cooks from across the country.
The MasterChef franchise has been a popular cooking competition watched by thousands across Britain. The Indian version of this UK-origin show has given a platform for several homecooks across eight seasons to exhibit and elevate their culinary prowess. At the end of the latest season of MasterChef India, Mohammed Ashiq has been crowned the winner.
Aashiq’s triumph not only fulfills his personal dreams but also marks a milestone as the first winner of the competition from South India.
Despite initial aspirations of building a career in hotel management, financial constraints within Aashiq’s family redirected his path. Undeterred by challenges, he entered the entrepreneurial world by launching a juice shop named ‘Kulki Hub’ in Mangaluru, demonstrating creativity in crafting unique recipes.
Having faced disqualification in the previous season, Aashiq returned this season with renewed determination, eager to overcome setbacks and display his skills on a national platform.
“This season, I return with newfound determination, ready to overcome past setbacks and make my mark. I am here not just to win but to stand for every dreamer who has dared to defy the odds,” Aashiq was earlier quoted as saying by Outlook.
MasterChef India Season 8, exclusively streaming on Sony Liv, featured a panel of judges, including celebrity chefs Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar, and Pooja Dhingra. The show aired new episodes from Monday to Friday at 8 p.m.
Before he re-entered the MasterChef kitchen, accoring to the Hindu report, Ashiq ran a juice stall in Mangalore known as Kuluki Hub, and he attributes this experience for being able to balance the flavours in his creations. “I was able to learn a lot about purees and sauces from this experience and also was able to experiment with flavour pairings. I knew which fruit had what type of sweetness or acidity, which had more water content and could figure out how it can be cooked and incorporated into my dishes,” he says.
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Mohammed Aashiq. Twitter photo
