- Suk: You’ve spoken about food rooted in memory. Which dish felt too emotionally loaded to recreate?
Depinder: Raj Kachori. Street food like this seems simple but is technically complex. I finally made it this season. It felt necessary—a tribute and a personal milestone.
- Suk: You bridge pharmacy and food. How do these two structured and fluid worlds align?
Depinder: Both fields demand discipline. Pharmacy and professional cooking both involve routine, precision, and structure. The overlap helps me approach food methodically yet creatively.
- Suk: What shifted in you as a cook, especially post motherhood?
Depinder: I’m calmer and more confident. Competing this time with experienced chefs pushed me, but I felt more grounded. I’m also more intentional about showcasing Indian cuisine now.
- Suk: Being a guest judge on MasterChef India—did it feel like coming full circle?
Depinder: It was an incredible experience. I was most excited to meet the MasterChef India judges—my culinary gurus who inspired me from the very start. Finally standing before them felt surreal and deeply fulfilling. They were warm, welcoming, and made me feel truly proud of how far I’ve come. That moment felt like a full-circle milestone—proof that dreams can take shape. Meeting chefs I’d long admired online but never imagined connecting with in real life made it all the more special. It was a rare and powerful opportunity that I’ll always cherish.
- Suk: How did you balance ambition and motherhood on your MasterChef return?
Depinder: Balancing motherhood and ambition takes a strong support system, and I’ve been fortunate to have that—especially from my husband. It really does take a village, and everyone stepped in to help, allowing me to focus and be stress-free during this journey. Of course, the mum guilt creeps in, but I’ve learned that if I’m not happy and fulfilled, I can’t raise emotionally strong, happy children. Our kids need to see us driven, passionate, and enjoying life. While I’ve always valued education, I also want my daughter to know that following your dreams is just as important. It’s not about choosing one over the other—it’s about showing them what’s possible.
- Suk: Most people think MasterChef is about food. You’ve seen it from the inside. What’s the silent struggle behind the bench that no one talks about?
Depinder: What people don’t always see is the mental game behind MasterChef. The biggest challenge is your mindset—how confident you are in yourself. The pressure is intense, not just because you’re in a competition, but because you’re constantly measuring yourself against your own past performance. For me, it’s never been about competing with others—everyone has a unique food style. Comparing myself to someone like Laura Sharrad, who specialises in Italian cuisine, wouldn’t make sense. Our culinary paths are completely different. Instead, I focus on doing better than I did before—pushing my own boundaries and refining my own style. That’s the healthiest and most authentic way to grow.
- Suk: Are you cooking to prove or preserve something?
Depinder: Both. I aim to preserve traditional Indian recipes and present them in new contexts. I want these dishes to be seen, celebrated, and passed on in Australia.
- Suk: You’ve elevated the Thali to fine dining. Was that deliberate or instinctive?
Depinder: Both. Thali is emotional for me, tied to my grandfather and childhood. At my supper club Ghar, I reimagine it with complementary dishes that showcase the depth of home cooking.
- Suk: What dishes are you preserving for the next generation?
Depinder: Recipes like Chunda (sun-cooked mango pickle) and rare Delhi street food like Aslam’s Butter Chicken. These dishes need time, patience, and love to be passed down.
- Suk: What would be the first recipe in your future cookbook for your daughters?
Depinder: Meetha Chawal—sweet rice. Made by my grandmother and my mum, it’s a dish filled with love and memory. I want my daughters to feel that connection through food.
We wish Depinder good luck with her journey!
You can follow Depinder in Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/depinder_/
MasterChef Australia: Back to Win continues Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play. Don’t miss to watch. Follow MasterChef Australia in Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/masterchefau/
As an experienced media and communications professional, I serve as Advisor to:
-Digital Journalists Association of India (DIJAI)
-Sansad Ratna Awards, which honour top-performing Indian MPs.
-PreSense, India’s oldest volunteer-run digital magazine.
In Australia, I host shows for Radio Bollywood Beats and Friends World TV, highlighting diaspora voices and changemakers.
I am the Global Head of Partnerships and Australian Ambassador for Mission ShakthiSAT—the world’s first all-female-led space initiative—I help empower over 12,000 young women across 108 countries, with a strong focus on mentoring students in science journalism.
