MasterChef Australia – Sanjeev Kapoor Praises Casper Kenworthy’s Indian-Inspired Dish

MasterChef Australia –  Indian cuisine took centre stage on the latest episode of MasterChef Australia Season 18, where celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor joined the panel as a guest judge for a mystery box challenge built around Indian ingredients.

Indian cooking challenge highlights diverse flavours and techniques –

Contestants were asked to create their own dishes using a selection of Indian pantry staples and flavours. The challenge produced a varied menu, with cooks interpreting the brief through both traditional references and contemporary techniques.

Among the dishes presented were a sweet dosa made with moong dal and paired with lassi ice cream, a lamb tart served with turmeric and coconut foam, and lamb rack accompanied by dal. Other entries included spiced lamb cutlets with sweet potato and coconut puree, pickled guava, and a choux bhaji-inspired creation.

Kapoor’s appearance brought a strong focus on the breadth of Indian food, with the chef assessing how contestants used ingredients, flavour combinations and cooking traditions in their plates.

Casper Kenworthy takes top honours

Casper Kenworthy emerged as the winner of the mystery box challenge with a dish that combined sweet potato and spinach curry, pickled mussels, pickled guava, finger millet roti, and moong dal curry-leaf coconut podi masala.

During the tasting, Kapoor initially challenged Kenworthy over his interpretation of Indian food. He asked whether the contestant believed the dish could be described as Indian. Kenworthy replied that he did not.

Kapoor then continued the playful exchange by asking if Kenworthy thought he could do whatever he wanted because he was competing on MasterChef Australia. The contestant answered yes, prompting laughter from the judges.

The discussion soon turned appreciative, as Kapoor described the dish as outstanding. He said the plate reflected the diversity and character of Indian cuisine.

Immunity and private cooking session awarded

Kenworthy’s victory gave him immunity from Tuesday’s elimination challenge. The win also earned him a one-on-one cooking session with Kapoor, offering the contestant an opportunity to learn directly from one of India’s best-known television chefs.

The episode highlighted the growing presence of Indian flavours in international cooking competitions, while also showing how contestants can draw from regional ingredients and techniques in original ways.

MasterChef Australia Season 18 is streaming in India on JioHotstar. This season’s judging panel features Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Kapoor’s role on the programme marks his appearance as the second Indian chef invited to the competition as a guest. He is widely recognised for his work as a judge on MasterChef India and for hosting Khana Khazana, a long-running cooking programme that became popular across Asia.

The chef also launched FoodFood, described as India’s first 24-hour Hindi-language food channel. His guest appearance on MasterChef Australia added a familiar Indian culinary voice to an episode focused on the country’s ingredients, food traditions and evolving global influence.