'MasterChef Australia' winner Justin Narayan on why India food is a winner

He swept the judges off their feet with his Indian take on tacos — daal bhaat and chicken jalfrezi among many other delicacies. The winner of the 13th season of MasterChef Australia, Justin Narayan, has decoded why Indian flavours hit the right taste buds every time.

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What makes Indian flavours take the spotlight on international TV shows?

“I think it’s super delicious. It’s tasty food and when you compare it to everything else Indian food competes really well. That’s what I think,” Narayan, who hails from Perth, Western Australia and is of Indian origin, told IANS on a call from Down Under.

Ever since his mega win, life has been a whirlwind for the 27-year-old young pastor, who is a first-generation Australian and a Fijian Indian.

“It has been a fun ride for sure,” he said.

Right after being crowned as the winner of the popular reality show in May, Narayan married his long-time girlfriend Esther Smoothy.

So, did he woo her with his cooking talent? “I’d like to think so,” he quipped.

He sees Esther’s love for food as an “added benefit”. “She definitely loves to eat, which is a huge benefit. She is not very picky and is very easily pleased when it comes to food so that’s something I’ll keep trying…,” Narayan added. Talking about how from being a youth pastor to making a career in cooking, Justin revealed that entertaining and hospitality has been a part of his culture while growing up.—IANS