The world of professional chefs is a brutal one at the best of times and one person who understands the challenge better than anyone is MasterChef India Season 8 winner, Mohammed Ashiq. In a thrilling climax to the season, the Mangalore native won in the finale on Friday on SonyLiv with contestants Nambie Jessica Marak and Rukhsaar Sayeed coming in as first runner-up and second runner-up respectively.
Ashiq wasn’t quite a newcomer to the MasterChef world however, as he had auditioned last year and was disqualified before making it into the top 40. His determination to succeed brought him back and he’s defied all odds to go the distance in the end.
Although he has no professional training, Ashiq runs a juice bar in Mangalore and is passionate about sharing the cuisine of his home city with the world. “I love Indian food because it’s so elevated,” he says, “After I went to MasterChef I learned a lot of things and I realised you can do anything with Indian food, especially Mangalorean dishes. There is a misconception about regional dishes but we can elevate these Indian dishes to an international forum.”
Slurrp caught up with the winner as he celebrated his victory to learn more about what has shaped his culinary journey.
Where did your introduction into the world of cooking begin?
When I was small, I used to play with kitchen toys with my sister but then in 7th or 8th standard, I started learning how to cook with my grandmother. When I was in 10th standard, my friends and family used to try my food, they all loved it and encouraged me to make more. They’re the reason I’m here.
The last time I gave my audition and didn’t move forward, it made me more strong because at that time I thought I wouldn’t go back but then I realised I couldn’t give up and that losing moment is why I won today. I put 200% into this season and that’s made me a winner.
After your elimination last year, what made you want to try again?
I thought last year that I’d give up on my passion and that it wasn’t gonna work. Though my parents supported me, they were also fed up and thought I should go abroad to work. But I promised them when coming for this audition that no matter what I’d get that named apron and no matter what I’d make it to the top 12. And after coming to Mumbai and getting that named apron I again called my mom and told her, no matter what I will win this show. So I knew I had to win this time because I promised them that if I didn’t make it through this time, I’d never go back to MasterChef, but I had a golden opportunity and I’m very proud I made it
When I got the apron I had flashbacks of my journey and all the struggles it took to get here. I wanted to prove to myself that I wouldn’t give up.
Image Credits: Ashiqrex (Mohammed Ashiq)/Instagram
What are some of the most unforgettable moments from this experience?
The obvious first one was the finale when my mom and my best friend came, so of course I had just won MasterChef India so that was a very happy moment. Another would be during the ASMR challenge when I made the Crispy Paradise dish which represented Mangalre and won the signature Chef’s knife from Chef Ranveer, that was a big moment for me and felt like a winning moment in itself. Then the third time was during the MasterChef Diwali episode when my jiju had come from Saudi to surprise me. He’s been a backbone for me and he’s supported me the whole way, so it was really good to see him. These were definitely the most memorable moments for me, I think I’ll miss this all
How did you feel being in so many elimination challenges?
In this season, I was the one person who didn’t miss a single elimination challenge. Every week I thought I’d go home and my journey would end there but then I realised I couldn’t give up and I had to fight even harder. I think the more times I put on the black apron, it made me more strong actually because they’re very difficult challenges.
Image Credits: Ashiqrex (Mohammed Ashiq)/Instagram
How has this experience changed your life and what advice would you give to others following the same path?
When I came to Mangalore to Mumbai I was just Mohammed Ashiq, now I’m going from Mumbai to Mangalore and I’m called ‘MasterChef’ Mohammed Ashiq, it’s been an amazing journey for me. I had my dream and I wanted to enter culinary classes but unfortunately, due to financial problems, I couldn’t follow that dream MasterChef has given me all the opportunities to learn and grow. I think many more people are facing such problems so now through my recipes and story, I hope that I can inspire them. I have to look forward, not look back and I need to struggle more and work hard.
I’d say, don’t give up and trust in your passion, and don’t lose your hope. I proved myself and they can too.
What does the future look like for MasterChef Mohammed Ashiq?
My dream is to open a restaurant in Mangalore and also create a small studio to make all my cooking videos and reach out to all the people who have been supporting me. Since I’ve been on MasterChef people have been trusting in me and my food, so now I want to take everything I’ve learned here and teach everyone. That’s my dream. Let’s see, I’m hoping for the best.
Rapid Fire Round
- Go-To Comfort Dishes: Prawns Ghee Roast, Neer Dosa, Boiled rice and Rasam
- One Must-Have Kitchen Essential: Seafood and Dried Red Chillies
- Cuisine I’d Love To Learn More About: Continental Cuisine
- Culinary Inspiration: Chef Vikas Khanna
- Signature Dish That Is 100% Mohammed Ashiq: My finale dish, Ocean View