Shipra Khanna: Chasing the Life You Want
Shipra Khanna didn’t dream of being a chef from a young age like many other contestants on MasterChef. She didn’t think that pursuing a career in the food industry would play any role in her life. She was simply carrying out her daily duties as a young housewife and developing her cooking skills out of necessity – to feed her husband, his family, and her children whose special needs forced her to develop creative and healthy alternatives to traditional foods.
It was a true Cinderella story when Shipra was crowned winner of MasterChef India. Her victory and subsequent fame made her a symbol of hope to other women and an example of how breaking societal molds can be possible. With innovative creations like yam mousse, tandoori chicken-flavored pate, and carrot cake with garam masala, Shipra surprised the judges and fans by turning out delicious dishes without any formal culinary training. Her accomplishment was even further impressive when it was revealed that she had landed on the show by having the courage to leave an abusive marriage in pursuit of a life worth living. Here, Shipra shares her perspective on the journey.
What made you decide to go on MasterChef India? What was it like to win that competition and how did it affect you?
The support of my parents and their belief in me gave me the strength and inspiration to go on MasterChef. My cooking skills were something I have been developing for many years through making new dishes for my family and children so I knew it was something I was good at.
You’ve faced some difficult times in your life. How did those experiences influence you and make you who you are today?
Difficult times always makes one wiser. My experiences taught me a lot, and just made me stronger and forced me to believe in myself.
What do you think makes for a successful restaurant in India?
Restaurants are like a marriage. If you aren’t sincere towards it, it will never be sincere to you.The person driving the restaurant hasto be focused and dedicated above all. A good public relations strategy, hard work, persistence, and consistency in taste and flavor are also important.
What do you believe is missing from the restaurant scene in India today?
Government support is very important in making the restaurant industry grow. Like other countries, if the restaurants have government support they will excel no matter what.
How did you become interested in fusion food? What types of cuisines do you typically like to combine with Indian?
I love innovation. Combining two different cuisines and coming up with something new and exciting really gives me an adrenaline rush. Especially when others appreciate the dish after eating it, that is even more exciting and inspires me to go wild with my imagination as far as food is concerned. I really like to combine European and Asian flavors with Indian as the combinations are very interesting.
How is your restaurant H.O.T. doing? What parts have been harder than you imagined?
It’s doing very well. It is my first restaurant and there is a lot to learn. Nothing is harder than you can imagine, but as I said, a restaurant is a marriage and a lot of dedication and hard work goes into it to make it a success.
What is your personal favorite comfort food meal?
Daal and rice is the most comforting meal to me.
Have you traveled outside of India? If yes, what have some of your favorite food places been? If not, where would you like to visit?
Europe, London and New York. I love all of those because of the great food they offer and great places to go shopping. I also love the bakeries in London and the patisseries in Paris.
Where do you find inspiration for new recipes?
I am experimental by nature and I’m constantly learning from people around me, including those who work for me. That’s where I draw my inspiration from. There is a lot to learn in this world as far as food is concerned and I often feel that one life isn’t enough to learn it all.
What do you want to do next?
There’s so much I want to do, including restaurants, books, travel, TV shows. Hopefully all will fall in place according to God’s will.
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