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When MasterChef India (Hindi) first came to the Indian TV screens in 2010, many home cooks and viewers were still getting used to the show’s competitive cooking concept. Over a decade later, fans have recreated the iconic recipes, rooted for their favourites on social media, and become extremely familiar with the art of presentation.
From home cooks to budding entrepreneurs and busy professionals, the MasterChef participants belonged to all walks of life. The only thing common? A love for cooking. And that love took on the shape of innovative, scrumptious, and classic dishes that lingered in viewers’ hearts and minds even after the season ended. As the latest season takes over the TV screen again, let’s revisit some of the best dishes from the previous seasons.
Ande ka Halwa, S2
Egg may seem like a humble ingredient, but in the right hands, it can turn into a delicious treat. Like this dessert from Chef Shazia Khan, the first runner-up of MasterChef India S2, which has remained iconic over the years. In fact, judge and Chef Vikas Khanna recently shared on social media, “We’ve tasted over 150,000 dishes with food teams in the past 14 years, including auditions, travels, kitchens, events, etc. The recipe of “Ande ka Halwa” is my favourite.”
Dal Baati in Bamboo Tube, S3
A little pressure, a new technique, and some classic flavours — that’s what it took to give one of the most iconic dishes of S3, Dal Baati in Bamboo Tube. In a mystery box challenge, contestants were asked to cook using edible gum resin, bamboo and Szechuan pepper. Contestant Ishrat Ali cooked the traditional Rajasthani dish inside a bamboo tube, while incorporating Szechuan pepper and gum as ingredients.
Nani’s Kheer Royale, S5
There are many things that MasterChef gets right, but one of its highlights remains the introduction to celebrity chefs, other than the judges. And these chefs bring with them iconic dishes that serve as a challenge for the participants but an inspiration for the viewers. Like Nani's kheer Royale that Chef Sanjana Patel, an expert in French desserts, introduced for a pressure test in S5. An ode to her late grandmother, the dish featured a white chocolate dome, powdered with organic food colour and covering a creamy parfait.
Curry Pata Shapta, S6
A dish that won its creator, contestant Oindrila Bala, an instant apron. Does it get more iconic than that? Instead of waiting to taste everyone’s dish, the judges awarded Bala the apron right away because they were floored by her creation, literally. It was a dessert that looked as resourceful as it tasted, made by creating a tower of stuffed crepes and topping it with a coral tuile.
Pommes Soufflès Pani Puri, S7
Season 7 saw one of the most sophisticated and innovative dishes on the show when contestant Sachin Khatwani served Pommes Soufflès Pani Puri for a liquid-to-solid challenge. Pani puri, which has liquid in its name, was turned into an elegant hors d'oeuvres with no liquid element. Though it didn’t win the challenge, the dish became a crowd favourite. To make the dish, Khatwani served the French pommes soufflés (delicate, fried potatoes) as puri with a spicy granita for pani and imli chutney caviar for chutney.
Ocean View, S8
At only 24, juice seller Mohammed Ashiq prepared the winning dish, an elegant seafood platter, for MasterChef India Season 8. The dish scored high on presentation, with elements elegantly set together to look like a scene from the ocean. It was also an expertly balanced dish, with the platter including diverse elements like Crab mousse, Prawn podi, Poached crab leg, Prawn and blue pea foam, smoked fruits and Kokum sauce. Ashiq, who faced disqualification in the previous season, shared with Indian Eagle, “This victory isn't just mine; it's for every dreamer who defies the odds to chase their aspirations.”
Dishes That Won Hearts (And Seasons)
As the new season rolls in, with the theme “Pride of India”, the expectations remain high. And these dishes prove why. The creations listed above give but a brief glimpse of the kind of ingenuity and skill that participants have displayed over the seasons and hopefully, will do again, with the latest version. From delectable desserts to amusing appetisers, there’s a lot more in store for lovers of food, competitions, and just good, old-fashioned reality TV.
