Until about fifteen years ago, the average urban Indian had limited options when it came to dining out. This translated into limited knowledge about the intricacies of international cuisine.
Today, however, it’s not unusual to hear a 9-year-old commenting on the plating and presentation of dishes, or using terms like ‘molecular gastronomy’, or perhaps complaining about their pasta not being ‘al dente’.
“When I first came here six years ago, people lacked exposure. They used to come to the restaurant and ask for spaghetti 'well-done'.”
Among the best-loved reality shows in India, MasterChef Australia is a force to reckon with. As one of Star World’s flagship shows, it has a loyal and ever-growing audience.
Atul Kochhar, the first Indian chef to earn a Michelin star, calls MasterChef “hugely inspiring”. “No one could’ve imagined that a TV programme all the way from Australia could come here and alter our way of thinking,” he says. “It’s not just a programme — it’s fantastic market research from an entrepreneurial point of view.”