{"id":186525,"date":"2023-12-14T08:26:33","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T08:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indiansapidnews.com\/?p=186525"},"modified":"2023-12-14T08:26:33","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T08:26:33","slug":"what-masterchef-winner-mohammed-ashiq-will-do-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indiansapidnews.com\/celebrity\/what-masterchef-winner-mohammed-ashiq-will-do-next\/","title":{"rendered":"What MasterChef Winner Mohammed Ashiq Will Do Next"},"content":{"rendered":"
‘When I was rejected last year, I told myself I won’t give up.’<\/strong><\/p>\n Dreams come true if you believe in them and fight for them.<\/p>\n Not convinced? Ask Mangaluru-born Mohammed Ashiq<\/strong>, who won the MasterChef India Season 8<\/em> trophy and took home a cash prize of Rs 25 lakhs last week.<\/p>\n Ashiq, who didn’t make the cut last season, returned this year determined to make an impact.<\/p>\n During the show, he served up unique dishes like Crispy Paradise and Ocean View which left the judges — Ranveer Brar, Pooja Dhingra and Vikas Khanna<\/strong> — impressed.<\/p>\n In a thrilling finale, Ashiq outshone Nambie Marak, Dr Rukhsaar Sayeed and Suraj Thapa; the four had raced past their eight co-contestants to reach the finale.<\/p>\n “It’s amazing how people are calling me MasterChef Mohammed Ashiq. Lag raha ki bas<\/em> trophy ko pakad ke so jau<\/em> (I feel like holding on to my trophy when I go to sleep<\/em><\/em>),” an elated Ashiq tells Mayur Sanap\/Rediff.com<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n What it feel like when the judges announced that you were the winner of MasterChef Season 8?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n That my dream had come true finally.<\/p>\n It’s something that I have wanted since many years; now, I am the winner of MasterChef<\/em>.<\/p>\n I’m on top of the world; I don’t have the words that can capture my emotions.<\/p>\n What are the reactions in your hometown and in your family?<\/strong><\/p>\n My whole city, Mangalore, has gone crazy.<\/p>\n They put up a big screen near my juice shop. More than 400 to 500 people came in two hours to watch MasterChef<\/em> live. I did not expect such crowd; they all went crazy when my name was announced (laughs<\/em>).<\/p>\n Everybody’s very happy and proud that I won the show.<\/p>\n You did not make the final cut last season, but you tried again this year. What kept your passion for MasterChef<\/em> going? <\/strong><\/p>\n That rejection made me the chef that I am today.<\/p>\n I went back home and started working on my culinary skills. I gained a lot of knowledge.<\/p>\n When I was rejected last year, I told myself I won’t give up. I prepared for this year and made it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tell us about some of the unique dishes you cooked on the show.<\/strong><\/p>\n I made Crispy Paradise for which I got Chef Ranveer Brar;s signature chef’s knife.<\/p>\n He also gave me a lot of compliments for Ocean View, the dish I made for the finale.<\/p>\n These were some of the best moments for me.<\/p>\n What was the point at which you struggled the most on MasterChef<\/em> and how did you overcome it?<\/strong><\/p>\n I’m the one who did all the Black Apron challenges; I was in every elimination challenge but that only made me a stronger person.<\/p>\n Every time I went to the Black Apron challenge, I used to think I may not perform well and get eliminated.<\/p>\n The elimination challenges are most difficult but they only made me stronger.<\/p>\n What was the biggest risk that you took during the show? <\/strong><\/p>\n It has to be the finale dish.<\/p>\n When we cook something on the show, we try to add a different form. For example, if I make Raj Kachori, I’ll think about how I can elevate the dish.<\/p>\n In the finale, I thought of an ocean view and then created the dish with what looks like sand, foam, etc. I basically created<\/em> this dish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you got a chance to work with any of the three judges, whom would you choose and why? <\/strong><\/p>\n Vikas Khanna.<\/p>\n He is an inspiration for me and I loved working with him.<\/p>\n Right from the beginning, I was excited to meet him.<\/p>\n He is connected with Mangalore as he studied in Manipal (the university town near Mangaluru city<\/em>). He has a very helpful nature. He also struggled tremendously at the beginning of his cooking journey.<\/p>\n He really inspires me. I love him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What’s been your most valuable experience in the show?<\/strong><\/p>\n The finale for sure.<\/p>\n The Diwali episode was most memorable as my jiju<\/em> (brother-in-law<\/em>) had come to meet me all the way from Saudi (Arabia<\/em>). He always been there for me. I was very happy that day and made Crispy Paradise, which was the best dish of the day.<\/p>\n The moment I got the chef’s knife was unforgettable. It made me realise that I can do more and I will do more.<\/p>\n What are your favourite dishes to eat and cook? <\/strong><\/p>\n I like Indian cuisine and, within that, I love Mangalorean cuisine.<\/p>\n My comfort food is prawns ghee roast<\/strong>, boiled rice and rasam<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How important is the prize money for you and what will you do with it? <\/strong><\/p>\n It is very important.<\/p>\n I wanted to have my own restaurant or cafe, but I did not have the necessary finance.<\/p>\n So I started a small kiosk and also catered to wedding functions and colleges.<\/p>\n Then, I opened a small shop.<\/p>\n My jiju<\/em> helped me a lot during this time.<\/p>\n My passion for cooking brought me to MasterChef<\/em> and now I think my dream will become a reality.<\/p>\n I will utilise this money well. I have planned to open a cafe. After that, I want to set up a small studio that where I can create content.<\/p>\n Have you thought a name for your cafe?<\/strong><\/p>\n Not yet, but I will definitely think about it now (laughs<\/em>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How are you adjusting to your new-found fame?<\/strong><\/p>\n Oh my God, it’s amazing how people are calling me MasterChef Mohammed Ashiq. Lag raha ki bas<\/em> trophy ko pakad ke so jau <\/em>(I feel like holding on to my trophy when I go to sleep<\/em>).<\/p>\n This can’t be earned with money; you have to work hard for this.<\/p>\n People from my hometown have gone crazy, I am getting lot of messages.<\/p>\n No one from there had participated in MasterChef<\/em> before because they don’t know about the audition process, etc.<\/p>\n I hope thousands of people from Mangalore will come to MasterChef<\/em> from the next season.<\/p>\n What does any aspiring contestant need to know about MasterChef<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n I had no clue about what would happen before I entered the competition. My only thing is that I don’t give up.<\/p>\n It is your passion and you must enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n No matter what, don’t give up; things will happen.<\/p>\n I am just very happy. MasterChef<\/em> has given me a lot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n