MasterChef Australia Back To Win is on the last leg of its season. With the semi finals, just around the corner, this season has been suffused with incredibly plated dishes. Intriguing savoury ice creams, a cook at Doha and regional Indian dishes hit home this season. As Jamie Fleming, Laura Cassai and Callum Hann battle it out in the semi finals ahead, desis are shedding a quiet tear for Indian-origin, Depinder Chhibber. Having made it to top 4, the ‘flavour cook’ got recently eliminated. From Raj Kachori to Chicken Sukka, here’s a recap of the 5 Indian dishes (cooked by Depinder, and lapped by desis!) that wowed judges on MasterChef Australia 2025.
5 Indian Dishes That Hit Home On MasterChef Australia S17
1. Raj Kachori
MasterChef Australia fans would be well aware of judges Andy Allen, Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow, and Sofia Levin, having a foodgasm while gorging on Pani Puri in S16. This season, Depinder Chhibber introduced them to crisp Raj Kachori, filled with sweetened yoghurt, spicy, tangy chutneys, pomegranate and sev. Needless to say, the dish inspired from her childhood memories in Delhi, was guzzled down. And even earned her the title of ‘Queen of Street Food’, by Sofia Levin.
2. Chicken Sukka, Mangalore Buns & Pachadi
In a challenge, where contestants had to curate a luxurious meal for Business Class flyers on Qatar Airways, it was a dish rife with coastal honesty and flavours, that won the challenge. Cooked by Depinder, a ghee-soaked, coconut-ty, Chicken Sukka, paired with the Indian banana bread aka Mangalore Buns and fruity Pachadi from Kerala, had Michelin-starred chef and judge, Jean-Christophe Novelli screaming with joy.
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3. Aloo Tikki Chole Chaat
What saved the Indian origin flavour queen from a challenging elimination was India’s humble yet robust street food, Aloo Tikki Chole Chaat. In less than an hour, Depinder Chhibber prepared crisp Aloo Tikkis, flavourful Chole and condiments and plated it in front of the judges. A flavour bomb in every way, this Indian dish won their hearts and saved the cook from elimination.
4. Masala Chai Ice Cream Sandwich
Masala Chai Ice Cream Sandwich may not be the most desi dish out there. Infused with chai, it was fusion dish that gained appreciation on the show this year. Creamy ice cream with aromatic masala chai flavours was cradled between two orange and cardamom sable biscuits. This was topped with orange mascarpone whipped cream and saffron gel.
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5. Sadya
On MasterChef Australia S17, Kerala’s famous Onam Sadya was laid out in front of judges Andy Allen, Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow, and Sofia Levin. A feast fit for royalty, served on a banana leaf, was prepared by Depinder Chhibber. Her interpretation of the Kerala feast included a fish curry, beetroot rice and uttapam. It was a meal packed with honesty and heritage, that left Jean-Christophe Novelli so impressed that he became teary-eyed.
As MasterChef Australia S17 is on its last leg, we fans, are surely going to miss top 4 contestant, Depinder Chhibber. After all, her incredible Indian dishes introduced global audiences to regional flavours!
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/depinder_
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