Unlocking a dream
> MasterChef Australia season 10 champion Sashi Cheliah is finally breaking free from his job as a prison officer for a new career in the food business
“The second [win] was a very memorable one,” he recalled. “I [had] dedicated that dish to my kids, and I cooked something close to my heart that my kids loved, which was lamb and peas.”
This season’s contestants also seemed to go for more homestyle dishes as opposed to previous seasons.
“I think for me, I am very much into home-cooked food which is what we grew up with,” said Sashi, who started cooking when he was about 10 or 11, helping his mother in the kitchen.
However, it was only when he moved to Australia that he really started to get into cooking.
He added that one reason he took part in MasterChef Australia was to show the world what Asian home-cooked food is all about, and how to elevate that to restaurant standard.
“That was what I was trying to achieve and I think I have done justice to that,” he said.
Right off the bat, Sashi proved to be one of the strongest competitors. When asked who among the home cooks he initially thought would have a chance at winning the title, Sashi cited Brandon Pang, Reece Hignell, and Khanh Ong.
He also recalled how he was over the moon when his idol, British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey who is the head judge for MasterChef US, appeared as a guest judge on the show.
“I really idolise him,” exclaimed Sashi. “I love the way he cooks. When I saw him walk into the kitchen, I went nuts!
“I was happy that I performed well that week. I was the mystery box winner that week, and he praised me for that dish. I also joined him for the immunity challenge and I won my first pin.”
He also got a chance to cook for Prince Charles during one of the team challenges.
“I was so happy. How many people can say they cooked for royalty?
“It was so nice of Prince Charles to take time out to meet us, greet and talk to us. That was not even a part of his plans. He took photos with us and really appreciated what we cooked that day.”
Catch the repeats of the last two episodes of MasterChef Australia season 10 on Lifetime (Astro channel 709) this Saturday at 8.45am and Sunday at 5.30pm.