The upcoming season of MasterChef India has brought together a stellar panel of judges, including celebrity chefs Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapoor, who have joined Vikas Khanna. In a recent discussion, the chefs passionately articulated the profound impact the reality show has had on India's culinary culture, particularly in elevating the status of home cooks and democratizing culinary knowledge.
MasterChef India: A Beacon of Respect for Home Kitchens
Ranveer Brar was emphatic about the transformative role MasterChef India has played. He highlighted a significant shift in perception, noting that before the show's arrival, cooking at home was often an underappreciated skill. "MasterChef became a beacon of respect and recognition for everyday cooking," Brar stated. He explained that the show did more than just spotlight talent; it acted as a catalyst, unifying the entire food media ecosystem.
Brar pointed out that the show's influence sparked a surge in food content creation across platforms. "Approximately 50 percent of today's food creators have some association with MasterChef," he estimated. This phenomenon, according to him, has legitimized the home kitchen, turning it from a private space into a potential stage for national acclaim and professional opportunity.
A Treasure Trove of Culinary Knowledge
For judge Kunal Kapoor, MasterChef India represents an invaluable repository of knowledge that transcends formal culinary education. He described the show as an eye-opener, revealing the vast culinary diversity of India that exists beyond hotel kitchens and culinary school curricula.
"The moment the doors of MasterChef India opened, we discovered knowledge coming to us," Kapoor said. He elaborated that the exposure to contestants from varied backgrounds, with their unique recipes, cooking styles, and food stories linked to festivals and harvests, ignited a deep curiosity. This, in turn, inspires further research and travel to understand the cultural roots of the cuisine, enriching the judges' own culinary perspectives.
Beyond the Kitchen: Judges' Creative Pursuits
The conversation also veered into the judges' ventures outside the culinary world. Ranveer Brar, who also runs a popular YouTube channel, has actively pursued acting. He has appeared in Hansal Mehta's "The Buckingham Murders" and "Modern Love: Mumbai" on Prime Video.
Brar revealed his upcoming projects include the series "Ma Ka Sum" with Mona Singh and an American production titled "Such Is Life." "Acting clears my head and makes me a better chef," he shared, adding that he plans to take on one or two acting projects annually as a form of creative expression.
When asked if he shared an interest in cinema like his co-judges, Kunal Kapoor expressed enthusiastic openness. "I'm super keen to work in movies," he said, revealing that both Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar have promised to consider him for roles in their future projects. Kapoor, a self-proclaimed movie enthusiast who carefully selects films based on reviews and talent, is putting his desire "out into the universe."
The new season, MasterChef India 9, promises a unique format twist. Contestants will compete in 'jodi' or pairs—as family members, spouses, friends, or inter-generational duos—aiming to transform into culinary masters under the expert guidance of Khanna, Brar, and Kapoor.
