Sandeep’s journey in MasterChef Australia can be summed up in the words of one of the judges, Matt Preston, “You’re the best Indian cook that has come into the show in the last 11 seasons. You came in as a student, but you’re leaving as a teacher”. His skills in the kitchen, gave him the title of “The Spice Angel” by the Australian media.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I was born in Kashmir and after our community's forced exodus in 1990, we moved to Bangalore. I grew up in Bangalore and learned cooking (from mom and neighborhood grandmas) from the age of 9.
I was blessed with flavors from Kashmir (up North India) to Karnataka (Down South India) and that helped me appreciate the versatility and the technique of various Indian cuisines.
Work brought me to Australia in Nov 2016, and then I was very fortunate to be given a chance at competing at perhaps the best amateur cooking competition in the world, MasterChef Australia, 2019. In a sentence, my journey is like a wonderful food story!
2. What led you to take up this career path?
My love for cooking food and serving it to the people who appreciate it is one of the major reasons for me taking up this career path.
If I did not have this passion, I'd have never achieved the dream of being at MasterChef Au, or my own Food Channel on YouTube or Instagram, or my upcoming (Jan 2020) spice range. The core belief of taking this path has always been my love to cook and serve.
3. We are curious to know more about your journey to MasterChef Australia?
I was always a fan of MasterChef Australia when I was in India, and I always looked up to the judges (Matt, Gary, George) as my teachers. I had this hidden desire, to try my hand at being in this epic competition, and my application was picked up for the auditions, for season 11.
There're a few moments in life that leave a profound impact on you, and I think MasterChef Australia has left a massive impact on my life. My journey was always great, as I never struggled in the kitchen, not even when I was eliminated.
From winning the Apron to getting a perfect score and the immunity pin, I've loved every single moment on MasterChef Australia. But the biggest thing was the knowledge and a greater appreciation of food that I got.
Besides all this, I have also come to love and admire this great nation of Australia, because MasterChef Australia gave me an insider's view of the multicultural, historical (Native Australian), and vivid fabric of this nation.
Moreover, meeting legends like the three judges (Gary, Matt, George), Rick Stein, Nigella, Heston, Yotham, Curtis, and many more, was an unbelievable achievement in itself.
4. Does one's approach change when cooking professionally and at home?
There are similarities, but there are many differences as well. The biggest is, that while cooking professionally, you need to cook on a clock, and that's not always the case at Home. The other important thing about cooking professionally, are the volumes! It takes a very special skill to be able to cook in a Commercial Kitchen.
I honestly believe that the chefs in professional Kitchen must get more appreciation, as they work very hard. If you go and eat at a place of your choice the next time, and you enjoy the food, please do take a moment to send your compliments to the chef. The appreciation is one of the greatest rewards for the Chefs.
5. Is there a dish you particularly associate yourself with?
There're actually many dishes that I associate with myself! But the one that stands out, is the dish that I created in the MasterChef Kitchen... The 'Smoked Masala Lobster'.
This dish was considered one of the best dishes in the history of MasterChef Australia and it was my tribute to the flavors from Peninsular India.
6 To get into the MasterChef, what are the qualities or qualifications needed in a person?
To get into MasterChef Australia, you cannot have any professional Kitchen experience! Many people get surprised when I say this. All of us who have been there, we've never worked or cooked in a commercial Kitchen, until we went into the show.
But the biggest quality that I believe one needs, is the ability to cook with as many, and as few ingredients as possible, within an hour! Speed and skill (in Kitchen) are the most important.
7. Can cooking be learned at culinary schools or natural talent is required?
I believe that everyone can learn cooking, but only a few can excel in it. Like any profession or sport, knowledge is readily available, but the skill is something that a person develops or is sometimes born with it.
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
I actually prefer reading fiction books and I love Harry Potter. But from a culinary standpoint, I love the books written by the (former) judge of MasterChef Australia, Matt Preston. His books are a treasure trove of recipes, tips, and history of cuisine!
Instagram ID - @sandeep_cooks
Sandeep received rave reviews from legendary chefs like Rick Stein and was the first contestant in MasterChef Australia history, to win a Perfect 30 score and an Immunity pin. His Lobster Masala is considered one of the best dishes in MasterChef Australia’s history and he was given the title of the best Indian cook in the 11 seasons of MasterChef Australia.
Sandeep’s journey in MasterChef Australia can be summed up in the words of one of the judges, Matt Preston, “You’re the best Indian cook that has come into the show in the last 11 seasons. You came in as a student, but you’re leaving as a teacher”. His skills in the kitchen, gave him the title of “The Spice Angel” by the Australian media.
Sandeep has been successful in his various food stints after the show, including sold-out Pop-Ups at restaurants. He also curated a special menu at the iconic Aussie Pub The Cricketers, at Port Melbourne and going beyond curries and curating Indian Bar Dishes called ‘Chakhna’ in a modern Aussie format.
Sandeep has also held Indian Food Masterclasses at the iconic Melbourne Markets Queen Victoria Market and South Melbourne. Sandeep has partnered with other MasterChef Australia to collaborate and to help their food journeys
Sandeep curated the MasterChef Australia Dining Experiences across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore along with some of the Best Indian Chefs. He has also helped set up an authentic South Indian flavors restaurant in London and cooked traditional Kashmiri cuisine inspired food at GajabySashi in Adelaide alongside Sashi Chelliah.
Sandeep Pandit
MasterChef Australia, The Spice Angel
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