Indian-born Australian resident Depinder Chhibber gained much popularity owing to her stint in Masterchef Australia 13. Depinder Chhibber’s unique approach to food, combined with her deep knowledge of spices and ingredients, has earned her recognition in the world. She may have a relentless passion for cooking, but when she’s not in the kitchen, Chhibber is actually a pharmacist by profession, just like her father.
Kirti Bhoutika is the founder of Sugarplum Cakery. A dessert fanatic herself, she wanted to bake the best cakes for Kolkata. Kirti Bhoutika entered the Masterchef India competition just after finishing her college and with a little positive approach and a whole lot of passion for cooking, she became the youngest Masterchef India Winner in December 2016. Since then, she has been travelling and exploring the world to get back the best desserts for Kolkata.
Chef Mahendra did his graduation from Delhi University and he completed his Hotel Management from Culinary Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management Dehradun (UK) India. He started his career at very early age and end up becoming Executive chef at the age of 23 which is considered a big achievement for him. He has been offering his services as a judge at India’s No.1 Culinary TV Show – MASTER CHEF OF INDIA for season 1, 2, 3 as well as JUNIOR MASTER CHEF OF INDIA. He is involved in motivating the young chefs of India and chef fraternity through Seminar and Workshops conducted by Indian Culinary Forum. Chef Mahendra has worked for some of the world’s most recognized hotel brands in India such as Marriot Group Of Hotels, Hyatt Group Of Hotels, Taj Group Of Hotels, Jaypee Group Of Hotels , Sarovar Group of Hotels and few more.
Being a dedicated trainer by nature, which he believed was the greatest inheritance from his parents; Chef Mahendra has constantly involved himself in the company’s corporate trainings and has developed many young talents throughout his Twenty(20) years in the India He also conducts training in India for young hoteliers. He is actively participating on activities with the Indian Culinary Forum Chefs society as well as the WACS (World Associations of Chefs Society).
Yogesh Utekar is a specialized chef in Indian and European cuisine. He is also an active member of Western Indian Culinary Association. He has played instrumental role in setting up the curriculum for Bachelor of arts in Culinary arts, affiliated to Mumbai University. He is associated with brands like Amul, Nestle, Unilever food solutions, Barilla and many more for various food Events. He facilitated grooming sessions of MasterChef India. He is been backbone of many television food shows. His life revolves around food and have strong believe “To teach and to learn”.
Sadaf Hussain was one of the top contenders of MasterChef India in 2016 and is currently a consultant chef based out of Delhi. Sadaf grew up in Ramgarh, a small town in Jharkhand, and always dreamt of being in the food and beverage industry. An animator by training who worked in the development sector, his food journey took proper shape when he moved to New Delhi and chose to adopt travel as a lifestyle. An avid storyteller, he is passionate about exploring the background and origins of the dishes he encounters. Sadaf is a TEDx speaker, has food shows online and runs the popular food blog www.foodandstreets.com. He believes that everything and everyone has a story to tell, and lives to uncover those stories.
Ripudaman Handa is an India celebrity chef, brand ambassador and television personality. He is the winner of MasterChef India season 3 and contested of Nach Baliye Season 6. Handa hosted the TV show Junior Masterchef Swaad Ke Ustaad aired on Star Plus and Big Ganga’s show Roj Hoyi Bhoj.
Santa Sarmah hails from Assam. Santa is a homemaker, chef, motivational speaker and 1st runner up of MasterChef India 2023. Santa Sarmah was the winner of Rengoni Grihini Superstar Season 2nd as well. Santa’s dream has been to make Assam and Gorkha food popular all across the world and she tries to make international dishes in her own Assamese style. She also has a YouTube channel @chefsantasarmah.
Harish Closepet, fondly known as Harry, is a 58-year-old entrepreneur whose culinary prowess knows no bounds. Formerly a civil engineer, Harry’s passion for cooking began in Singapore, where he would experiment with Indian flavours to get rid of homesickness. Closepet’s food journey started when he began to pack lunchboxes for his daughters. He is also a contestant on Masterchef India Season 8.
Pankaj Bhadouria is the winner of MasterChef India. Season 1 (2010). She was a school teacher who quit a 16-year-old job to participate in the first season of MasterChef India. She has hosted the TV shows Chef Pankaj Ka Zayka, Kifayati Kitchen, 3 Course with Pankaj, Rasoi se- Pankaj Bhadouria ke Saath, Sales Ka Baazigar. She was the first MasterChef Winner worldwide to have an official MasterChef Cookbook in her name and has written two more cookery books Barbie- I am a Chef, and Chicken from my Kitchen.
Ajay Chopra is an Indian chef, food creator, restaurant consultant, and media personality. Being one the first Indian chefs who hosted Master chef India season 1 & 2, he hopes cooking as a profession is seen differently in India now. He has appeared in shows such as Masterchef India, ZeeCafe , and Zee Zest. He also has a YouTube channel by the name ‘Ajay Chopra‘ where you can learn easy to make , restaurant style, different cultures, regions specific recipes at home.