My MasterChef Experience

It’s been over a year since I was on the MasterChef UK. It was a privilege to be a part of their special 10th edition series. So, I am reflecting back on my experience in the competition.

When I meet people through these days they ask questions about judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace and the programme in general that I wanted to share some of my memories.

I have worked in a busy London college library as a Subject Librarian but cooking was my hobby for as long as I remember. I was made redundant in 2012 and that is when the thought of making my passion of cooking into a possible future career crossed my mind.

I was genuinely complemented for my cooking skills by family and friends over the years, and because of their encouragement, I decided to apply for MasterChef in 2013. I had loved watching the show and thought the format is very interesting.

The application process was really drawn out, and I filled in an online application form without any expectations.

There was a long form to fill in on the MasterChef website which covered all sorts of subjects, including my food heroes and influences.

After that there were a couple of phone interviews, followed by an audition in their London office, I then had 10 minutes to plate up whilst having a camera pointed at me and being flooded in with questions. I was told that the interview will not be filmed and they needed to check that I could talk and carry on doing things at the same time.

All of that took days to complete, and after each stage I was told that I may not hear anything back.

I was warned of what would happen if I told anyone about my participation on the show – instant dismissal. The requirement to keep quiet about being part of MasterChef was almost the toughest part of the whole competition for me finally rang to congratulate me on reaching the last 60 applicants who would take part in the heats, I was absolutely delighted and a little nervous.

Another phone interview before I was told that I am the official contestant on the show. Then I had I signed a confidentiality contract, I was given 3 filming days.

It was worth it in the end, particularly when I got astonished phone calls and emails from friends a few months later saying they had just switched on their favourite cooking show to see me in the daunting MasterChef kitchen!

The first time I laid eyes on John and Gregg was when I walked into the kitchen for the very first test. It was surreal and exciting to be in the MasterChef kitchen too.

On the show, I was fortunate enough to cook some of the family favourites and some dishes that I had created in the spur of the moment such as chicken Biryani, Baida Roti, Goats Cheese Dumplings, Shahi Vegetable Kadhai, Bhaturas, Semolina Halwa, Lamb Chop Curry, Tri-Colour Rice. I was fortunate to receive some high praises and also constructive feedback from the Judges John and Gregg and the guest judges; Jackie Kearney, Peter Bayliss, Andrew Kojima, Tracey Macleod.

People ask what John and Gregg were really like. They were excellent fun to be around, supportive and helpful and constructive in their comments about the food prepared for them. It was honour to be called a spice angel on the show. Apart from the judges, the entire behind the scenes team of MasterChef were extremely encouraging and supportive too.I made some wonderful and talented friends during the show.

For me life after MasterChef was a roller coaster ride; unfortunately, I lost my beloved dad when the show was being broadcasted in May 2014. I wish he would have been alive to see my journey post MasterChef. He was my inspiration and I had learned a wealth of cookery skills through him. So, starting my small business- The Spice Angel is a tribute to him.

The aim of the competition was very much about being encouraging and trying to get the best out of the contestants and the final edit was fair and balanced.



I have learned from the remarks and I try to focus on the positives and the changes in my life through the wonderful opportunity I was given: the experiences I had, new skills I learned and confidence in my own cooking ability that was instilled during the competition was my reward.