He was crowned champion of MasterChef Australia season 10, but Sashi Cheliah is back for more. Known as the smiling assassin by his fellow contestants, beating Sashi is no easy feat.
Not only was he able to survive many elimination challenges, his ability to cook up a deliciously flavoursome dish out of pretty much anything remains a talent not many people possess.
Joining previous winners Julie Goodwin and Billie McKay on Fans and Favourites, he definitely has some tough competition coming his way. Following his MasterChef win in 2018, Sashi went on to open his own pop-up restaurant, Gaja by Sashi, in Melbourne. In November 2019, he opened Gaja in Adelaide, and the year after that, he was his son Ryan’s biggest fan while he competed on Junior MasterChef Australia.
The eldest of seven children, Sashi grew up in Singapore, where he was introduced to food from a young age through his family’s cafe. Some of his fondest childhood memories are of his mother and aunties cooking food for the family.
“Whenever they cooked, I was always in the kitchen watching,” he wrote on his website, Sashi’s Secret. “Food is a huge part of my culture and there’s always plenty of food to prepare at every cultural festival and event.”
Before entering the hospitality industry, Sashi was based in the Star Unit of the Singapore Police Force for close to 10 years. He worked in counter-terrorism, kidnappings and high-profile protection within the riot police. After relocating to Australia in 2011, Sashi became a prison officer at an Adelaide women’s prison.
As he begins his MasterChef Australia journey for the second time, Sashi leaves behind his wife Rabicca and sons Marcus and Ryan at home, who will be acting as his biggest cheerleaders.
MasterChef Australia: Fans and Favourites premieres Monday, April 18 on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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