MasterChef India 2023: Everything You Need to Know About the Culinary Extravaganza
MasterChef India 2023 is the seventh season of the popular cooking reality show that showcases the talent and passion of home cooks from across the country. The show, which premiered on Sony Entertainment Television on 2 January 2023, has been a roller coaster ride of emotions, challenges, creativity and delicious food.
The show is judged by three renowned chefs – Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Garima Arora – who have been mentoring, guiding and testing the contestants throughout the season. The show has also featured some special guests and celebrity chefs who have added more spice and fun to the show.
As the show is nearing its grand finale, which will air on 31 March 2023, here is everything you need to know about MasterChef India 2023.
The Finalists
The show started with 36 home cooks who auditioned in four cities – Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Out of them, only 16 made it to the MasterChef Kitchen, where they faced various tasks and challenges to prove their culinary skills and creativity.
The top 16 contestants of MasterChef India 2023 were:
- Nayanjyoti Saikia from Tinsukia, Assam
- Santa Sarmah from Nagaon, Assam
- Suvarna Bagul from Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Aruna Vijay from Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Kamaldeep Kaur from Ludhiana, Punjab
- Gurkirat Singh from Haryana
- Sachin Khatwani from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Priyanka Biswas from Kolkata, West Bengal
- Deepa Chauhan from Bangalore, Karnataka
- Nazia Sultana from Guwahati, Assam
- Priya Vijan from Bangalore, Karnataka
- Avinash Patnaik from Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Vineet Yadav from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Yashu Verma from Kolkata, West Bengal
- Dyuti Banerjee from Kolkata, West Bengal
- Urmila Jamnadas Asher “Baa” from Mumbai, Maharashtra
After several rounds of elimination and some twists and turns, the show has now reached its finale week with six finalists remaining. They are:
- Nayanjyoti Saikia
- Santa Sarmah
- Suvarna Bagul
- Aruna Vijay
- Kamaldeep Kaur
- Gurkirat Singh
These six finalists have shown remarkable growth, consistency and innovation in their cooking throughout the season. They have impressed the judges and the viewers with their diverse cuisines, flavours and presentation. They have also faced some tough competition and pressure in the MasterChef Kitchen.
The finale week will test their skills and endurance to the fullest as they will have to cook for some esteemed guests and face some challenging tasks. Only one of them will emerge as the winner of MasterChef India 2023.
The Judges
The judges of MasterChef India 2023 are three eminent chefs who have made a mark in the culinary world with their achievements and accolades.
Vikas Khanna is a Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, author and filmmaker who has been associated with MasterChef India since its first season. He is known for his expertise in Indian cuisine and his passion for food. He has also been honoured with several awards such as Padma Shri, GQ Man of the Year and National Film Award.
Ranveer Brar is a celebrity chef, author and TV host who has been a judge on MasterChef India since its second season. He is known for his fusion of Indian and global cuisines and his charismatic personality. He has also been recognised as one of the most influential chefs in India by Forbes India.
Garima Arora is a Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur who joined MasterChef India as a judge for the first time in this season. She is known for her modern interpretation of Thai cuisine and her restaurant Gaa in Bangkok. She has also been awarded as Asia’s Best Female Chef by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The judges have been instrumental in shaping the journey of the contestants on the show. They have not only judged their dishes but also mentored them, taught them new skills and recipes, encouraged them and sometimes scolded them. They have also shared their personal stories and experiences with the contestants and inspired them to follow their dreams.
The Winner and Prize Money
According to reports, the winner of MasterChef India 2023 has already been leaked on social media, even though there has been no official announcement yet. The young chef Nayanjyoti Saikia has taken home the trophy.
Nayanjyoti Saikia is a student from Tinsukia, Assam who has a passion for cooking since childhood. He has amazed the judges and the viewers with his creativity, versatility and confidence in the kitchen. He has cooked dishes from various cuisines such as Assamese, Bengali, Thai, Italian, French and more. He has also shown his flair for baking, molecular gastronomy and plating.
The prize money for MasterChef India 2023 has not been confirmed yet. However, several reports suggest that the winner of Season 7 is going to take home INR 25 lakhs. The prize money for Season 6 was the same amount, and the speculations are based on this.
The winner will also get a chance to showcase his or her culinary talent on a national and international platform and pursue his or her dream career in the food industry.
The Conclusion
MasterChef India 2023 has been a thrilling and entertaining season that has showcased the best of Indian home cooking. The show has also celebrated the diversity, culture and heritage of India through food. The show has also highlighted the stories, struggles and aspirations of the contestants who have come from different backgrounds and walks of life.
The show has also been a source of inspiration and learning for many aspiring home cooks and food lovers who have watched the show and followed the contestants. The show has also been a platform for social awareness and responsibility as it has addressed issues such as food wastage, sustainability and nutrition.
MasterChef India 2023 is not just a cooking competition but a celebration of food, passion and dreams. The show has given us some memorable moments, delicious dishes and talented chefs who have made us proud. As the show is coming to an end, we wish all the best to the finalists and congratulate the winner of MasterChef India 2023.
