Photo feature of my Masterchef pilgrimage in Australia last year.

Masterchef season 2 had great influence on our little family, it combined food porn, high drama, teamwork, competition, learning and served to bring our little family together in front of the TV every night. We were all hooked.The first thing Natasha would ask on waking up every morning “Aaj Masterchef aayega na ?” (Masterchef will come today no?). And if you asked her who she liked best she’d say “George” in the cutest way! (Matt and Gary she calls Masterchef!) And Aman still hands out compliments like “I give you a 9/10 for this dish Mom” or Mom you should go on Masterchef with this dish!” And there was the WHOA moment for us the day Marion won her immunity pin when he popped up with “I like her, she’s cute!” Oh Boy! When did he grow up that much? And Shekhar became very particular about presenting food well and started to compliment food beautifully. I personally thanked Matt Preston for that bit of my husbands learning when I went on my Masterchef Pilgrimage on my trip to Australia a few months down the line. 

And season 3 has kicked of today, friends have already seen it on Youtube but I wanted to watch it with the family on TV. Its great to see the camaraderie between Gary, Goerge and Matt continues. Natasha has recognised her favourite George and I am looking forward to what season 3 will bring.

In a toast to Season three, I thought I would post a photo feature of my Masterchef Pilgrimage.

My trip started in Melbourne, where all three judges live, but with my work schedule I did not get to do much about my Masterchef pilgrimage in Melbourne. I did get a chance to watch Tetsuya at work however and meet Matt Preston(which was totally the highlight. I did the full fan thing, getting him to sign his book Cravat- e- liscious and taking him a Cravat as a gift, which he wears in one of the episodes.  

But what I could not do in Melbourne I managed to do in Sydney. The day I arrived I dined at Sydney restaurant Flying Fish, owned by Peter Kuruvita who made an appearance in MasterClass 5 and showed the contestants two completely different bug (Australian native shell fish) dishes– one with an accompanying shaved fennel and edamame salad and a main dish featuring a spicy ginger and chilli sauce. 

The Flying Fish Restaurant & Bar is situated at the maritime heritage site of Pier 21, Jones Bay Wharf Pyrmont in Sydney. Surrounded by breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, Flying Fish has been constructed from an original heritage wharf site designed by Michael McCann's stunning two-storey loft design and unique lighting set against a spectacular waterfront setting. It all made for an evening to remember and delivered a new and unique Sydney dining experience. Peter Kuruvita has created an exquisite menu of local fresh seafood and seasonal delights. 

Of course being in Sydney I just had to take the opportunity to visit Adriano Zumbo’ new café/lab in Rozelle, Sydney. So the next day after a sumptuous breakfast at the Sydney Fish Market, I visited Adriano Zumbo’s Lab which is housed in a corner building in a suburb of Sydney and can be a little hard to find. Enter and you find yourself in the wonderfully quirky almost eccentric world of wonderful treats that is a reflection of the naughtiness in Adriano Zumbo’s smile. A fantasy world of graffiti painted walls, lit by bare light fittings with one wall dominated by a chalkboard menu full of specials, beakers that double up as water jugs and cakes, pastries, gourmet pies and breads that change daily with menus being written by hand.

And then when I was done with dessert, I made my way to lunch at the Aria restaurant overlooking the Sydney Opera House owned by Chef Matt Moran. Matt Moran’s contemporary Australian menu is inspired by his passion for sourcing the finest seasonal produce available – a principle taught to him first hand by his rural upbringing. Hence the ARIA dining experience offers the freshest Australian produce prepared using innovative and contemporary methods to appeal to a wide range of palates.

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