What Masterchef Australia has taught me ?

Before you put any mis consumption into your head, I would like to make it clear that I am not going to share the recipe of some extra fabulous dish which I got inspired from the show. Along with the mouthwatering cuisines which amazes me on every single episode of MasterChef, there are also some deeper values and qualities of the judges and contestants which has astonished me even more. And I specifically meant 'MasterChef Australia’; even though I am a great fan of all MasterChef shows.

 

When I see this show, I don't know how many times I have wondered that whether the contestants are actually aware that they are competing against each other! Really!!! If you have watched the show, you might know what I meant. That’s how they help each other, support each other and motivate each other. They only want the best dish to win, and they make sure that everyone is putting their best effort. Isn't that wonderful. 

 

I get goosebumps every time when I see them asking (in the middle of the cook) whether their competitors are okay. How can you ask your competitors whether they are doing all right in the middle of a competition, and they do it even if it is a Grand Finale. And if at all someone is not feeling good, they will make sure that they overcome that phase and come back to the competition with their full potential.  It’s always about the best dish.

 

As a proof, I would like to share few instances from the show which made my eyes wet.

 

Season 8: Grand Finale 

 

Matt and Elina were in the finals, and for the dessert round they had to replicate an incredible dessert by the chefs Heston and Ashley: 'Verjus in Eggs'. That was undoubtably the hardest challenge in the competition that far.

For the final step in the 100 steps recipe, they had to blow the liquid nitrogen after sealing the egg shells. Matt looked a bit worried while going to the nitrogen station. And by seeing him struggle, Elina voluntarily went to the station to support him and to guide him through the next steps in the recipe. And please note that at that point in time she was 3 point down than Matt's score, and she still had her plating and other stuffs to do. But all those were secondary. Even though holding the MasterChef title was of utmost importance, it was not above a friend in need for her.

 

Isn't that incredible!!! She just stopped what she was doing, on a grand finale of master chef, where every single second is of utmost importance. How many of us can even think about helping our competent on a situation like this?

 

Season 12: Elimination episode: Twists Week 

 

It was a pressure test in the twists week of the Season 12: ' Back to Win'. And the double twist of that episode was to take away the recipe in the middle of the cook! 

 

Since that was also an Elimination episode, the pressure was even more. We all know how great of a cook Amina is. But in that episode, she was running in a slow pace. And when this double twist came, she went completely blank.  Of course, that is quite understandable when someone has to recreate Darren's twisted Passionfruit Pavlova and when the recipe is snatched away from you in the middle of the cook without any pre-notice.

 

And that's when Jess came running to her workbench. MasterChef audience definitely know how kind Jess is. 

 

Jess: " Amina you need a hand with anything?"

 

Amina: " No honey later,"

 

Jess: “You need the mango moose recipe?"

 

 And Jess simply told the whole recipe to Amina with the quantities, ratios and everything! Even though they were in the middle of a very challenging elimination round where either one of them may even go home at the end of the cook. But surely those stress and tension didn't stop her from helping a friend who was struggling.

 

If I was in that kitchen, I might not even know that one among us was struggling that much. Helping is way out of question. But that was not me, that was Jess. The one who is always, always be the first one to help someone, even if it's an elimination day.

 

Season 12: SemiFinal: Pressure test

 

The Semifinals of MasterChef Back to Win season. Emilia, Reynold and Laura were in the semifinals. They had to replicate Martin Benn's Toffee apple. That was not any ordinary Toffee Apple. That actually looked like a real apple fallen from a tree on beautiful autumn leaves.

 

The apple was made with a long apple ribbon strand, rolled into the shape of an apple. Lathing the apple to get a perfect apple ribbon was the main element of the dish. And when Laura started with her 1st apple and started to spin, it was not happening. She tried one apple after another but still nothing happening. She almost reached the edge of crying, there were tears forming in her eyes.

 

Yes, as you guessed that's when Emilia and Reynold came for her support. In a Semi Final. Clearly if Laura was not able to make that, then she wouldn't have a dish to plate. And a direct entry to Finals for Emilia and Reynold. But no, that’s not how the contestants in MasterChef Australia think. They want every contestant to compete with their full potential. It's the best dish which should win.

 

Emilia: " Just breathe Lozzy "

 

First thing she told after coming to her bench. Then she clearly told and even demonstrated by lathing the apple by pausing all that she was doing. Even though she had a lot in her hands to finish. The time was ticking as always.  Reynold also made sure that Laura was okay and that she got the technique right.

 

And finally, Laura got a beautiful apple ribbon.

 

Seeing that actually brought tears to my eyes. How can these people be so selfless? There is definitely competition among them, but that is to be a better a cook than they were on the previous day. Noone tries to pull others down. It's a very fair play, by being kind to each other, helping each other, encouraging among themselves to provide their best.

 

In our day-to-day life, we might go through many moments, where we can be a support to someone, a helping hand, a word of console, a ray of hope. It's not always necessary to wait till they ask for help. Sometimes people may not ask, but we do understand, yet we hesitate. Something stop us from doing what is right, even though we know well in our hearts what needs to be done. Sometimes our very small deeds might have a much deeper meaning in someone life. Let's not forget the power which all of us have within us to make the world a better place for people around us.

 

Another most important thing which that show has taught me is, it is okay to cry, it is okay to have melt downs, it is okay to feel intimidated, everything is fine but never give up on yourself. We never know what is going to happen at the end. Respect your emotions, don't neglect it, don't hide it. And there is nothing wrong in expressing them. What we should not do is loosing all hope and giving up. Never give up even if your hands are trembling, even if tears are flowing down, even if you think you won't be able to make it. Never give up, never lose hope and keep fighting. You might even be the Winner.