ABOUT

ABOUT

SASHI CHELIAH

2018 MasterChef winner

“I am a very enthusiastic person, people know that if I set my mind on something, I will give my 100% to achieve that goal.”
CONTACT SASHI'S SECRET
Sashi Cheliah won MasterChef in 2018 with his methodical approach and delicious, spice-laden Indian and Malaysian food. Now, Sashi can share his flavoursome food with everyone with the launch of Sashi’s Secret Home Chef kits.

“Food is about sharing and spending time together,” says Sashi. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to enjoy delicious meals and bond at dinner time.”

The eldest of seven children, the Singapore-born Sashi’s passion for food came early in life when he watched his aunties and mother, a café-owner, cooking – even though a boy in the kitchen wasn’t encouraged in his culture.

“Whenever they cooked, I was always in the kitchen watching,” says Sashi. “Food is a huge part of my culture and there’s always plenty of food to prepare at every cultural festival and event.”

He says there are often 60-70 people to cook for when there’s a family occasion.  

“I can still remember being in the kitchen at ten-years-old - watching my mother cook and smelling the spicy aromas,” says Sashi. “I’d like to say I waited patiently for my turn to taste her food!”

He didn’t go directly into the food business, instead working for 12 years in the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) unit of the Singapore Police Force, where he trained in tactics, rescue operations, counter terrorism, kidnappings and high-profile protection in the riot police. 

In 2012, he moved to Adelaide and worked as a prison guard, which gave him more time to cook for his wife Rabicca Vijayan (a nurse), their two sons and friends and family. 

It was then he started following his cooking dreams, signing up to MasterChef on a whim after seeing a Facebook post.

“I don’t believe age should be a barrier to achieving dreams,” says Sashi. “And it wasn’t!”

In the finale of his MasterChef victory episode, he received a record 93 out of a possible 100 score. His Melbourne pop-up restaurant named "Gaja by Sashi" was also a success, paving the way for a permanent restaurant space in Adelaide by the same name.

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits are the next step in the plan to bring his food to as many people as he can – sharing his signature flavours and passion for cooking for family and friends – Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits mean that you can now cook at home with Sashi.


Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Hits mean that you can cook at home with Sashi!
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