6 Indians who cooked up a storm in MasterChef Australia ~ Here’s a look at the top contestants who made India proud ~

Food speaks a universal language, one that transcends cultures and borders and no other show has portrayed this as well and as successfully as MasterChef Australia. Even after a decade since its launch, the show draws in interest from viewers across the world, and especially from India. While Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, and Matt Preston have become household names, Indian contestants in the show have also gone on to achieve success in the culinary world. With Sandeep Pandit stirring up a storm in the MasterChef kitchen in Season 11, here’s a look at some Indian origin contestants who have added the real spice and tadka to the show with their skills. Follow the show real time, and catch all the excitement of MasterChef Australia, now streaming on Hotstar Premium 

DalwinderDhami (Season 4)

She was the first Indian to get selected for MasterChef Australia and was an inspiration for everyone who came next. Being popular for her amazing blend of spicy Singaporean cuisine with North Indian tadkas, George Calombaris said the curry she had made was the best curry he has ever tasted. Post MasterChef, Dalvinder started selling her delicious Indian dishes including her top three dishes on the show in Singapore's local market.

Rishi Desai (Season 5) 

This native of Kolhapur made his mark on the show from the first day's egg challenge itself. His simple approach of skilfully combining seafood with Indian spices made him a hit on the show. One of the top 5 contestants that year, Rishi certainly won the hearts of judges and the audience and received the title of Muscle Man by Matt Preston. 

Neha Sen (Season 5)

From being an IT advisor to now a successful entrepreneur in Australia., Neha made her journey with the old recipes from her mother's kitchen in the show. Her ice creams and chutneys are retailed in gourmet shops and supermarkets across Australia today, and many top restaurants offer her range on their menus.

Deepali Behar (Season 6)

A dentist with her roots in Gujarat, Deepali stunned the judges with her potato curry. Continuing her victory with gujiya, chicken curry and pot stickers, she even aced the cooking of beef during a challenge. Post her exit from the show, she launched Deepali's Delights which features a wide range of pickles, jams, preserves and chutneys.

SashiCheliah(Season 10)

Taking a break in Season 9 an Indian returned with a big bang, he not only won hearts but also the title of the 10th season, Sashi’s culinary journey began in Singapore where he helped his mother at her café. His roots link him back to Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Prior to joining the show, Sashi worked as a prison officer at a women’s prison. The MasterChef Australia champion aimed to replicate the Indian, Malay and Chinese cooking he was exposed to in his youth while on the show.

Sandeep Pandit (Season 11) 

And the current fan favourite, Sandeep has not only made Jammu and Kashmir but all of India proud by being selected to compete in the prestigious MasterChef Australia. From Rogan Josh (mutton dish with red gravy) to Yakhni(mutton dish prepared in yoghurt), Hakh (collard green; the staple diet of Kashmir), MujiChetin (reddish chutney) and Tehr (yellow rice), Sandeep expressed his feelings through Kashmiri cuisine and eventually impressed the judges. Sandeep has been cooking since he was nine. From helping his mother in the kitchen to making tea and trying his hand at some old recipes, he has dabbled in all kinds of cooking to pursue his passion.

MasterChef Australia Season 11 is exclusively streaming on Hotstar Premium in India