Tv, for Shipra Khanna, was a perfect recipe that took her to the top in the world of cooking. But the winner of MasterChef India knows ther's a long road ahead.
"It's just one step, I have to go miles still," said Khanna, a 29-year-old single mother born and brought up in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Khanna walked away with the title of MasterChef in the second season of the cooking reality show and won a cash prize of Rs10 million (Dh692,764), a chance to host her own show on Star Plus and a vacation for three nights and four days in London.
She said her mother was her motivation. "I grew up watching my mother and learning culinary skills from her. She is a perfect host. Now it's my children who brought out the talent in me."
Khanna, who was married in Agra, is living separately from her husband. Her children, Yadavi and Himang, stay with their father.
"My children love to dine out. I have tried many times to replicate recipes, especially the desserts, at home. This greatly helped me in honing my skills," she said.
Her parents — Balween and Radhika Khanna — said it was Shipra's passion for cooking that took her to the top honour.
"She loves to cook for the entire family. Despite estranged relations with her husband, she managed to grab the title," said Balween, who runs Laljee Jewellers in Shimla's Lower Bazaar.
Radhika said Khanna is perfect at making Indian, continental and Italian dishes. "She also loves to bake and make desserts," she added.
Khanna now aspires to anchor a food and travel show.
She beat Joseph Rozario from Siliguri and Salma Shazia Fatima from Bangalore to win the show, which started off with 12 contestants.
The grand finale was telecast over two parts on December 31 and January 1, with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar returning to the show as a guest judge for both the episodes. Joseph Rozario was eliminated in Saturday's episode.
Sunday's final battle saw the last two finalists — Fatima and Khanna — preparing dishes for 100 people who, through their votes, then declared Khanna the winner.
