Mohammed Aashiq, a 24-year-old from Mangalore, emerged victorious as the MasterChef India 2023 winner. Accompanied by Nambie Jessica Marak and Rukhsaar Sayeed, who secured first and second runner-up positions respectively, Aashiq's journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Reflecting on his awe-inspiring journey, Aashiq expressed gratitude, saying, “I am immensely grateful for the whirlwind journey I’ve had on MasterChef India.
From facing elimination to holding the trophy, every moment was a profound lesson." He credited his transformative experience on the show for reshaping his life, acknowledging the victory as not just his own but for every dreamer defying odds to pursue their aspirations.
Aashiq attributed his success to dedication and support from judges — Chef Vikas, Ranveer, and Pooja, as well as fellow contestants and renowned chefs. Having faced disqualification in the previous season and narrowly escaping elimination in the digital-exclusive season, Aashiq's passion for cooking propelled him to claim the coveted title of MasterChef India.
Prior to his MasterChef journey, Aashiq ran a juice shop, showcasing the diverse backgrounds of contestants in the culinary competition.
In the grand finale, the pressure was on the four finalists — Rukhsaar Sayeed, Mohammed Ashiq, Nambie Jessica, and Suraj Thapa.
Tasked with creating their signature dishes within 90 minutes and an open pantry, each contestant displayed culinary expertise.
Suraj Thapa impressed judges with a dessert designed like an English breakfast, while Rukhsaar Sayeed presented a dish representing the flavors of Kashmir, earning high praise from the judges. Mohammed Ashiq's emotional presentation of a crab dish left Vikas overwhelmed with