20 May,2017 11:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Kusumita Das
Masterchef US Junior's youngest contestant is an Indian American, who has made it to the top 10
Avani Shah with Gordon Ramsay on Masterchef US Junior
The mere mention of Gordon Ramsay may be enough to make many nervous, but that's not the case with Avani Shah. Masterchef US Junior's youngest contestant, who turned 10 last month, has been going steady so far in the fifth season of the cooking reality show. Now, the Chicago resident is among the top 10 contenders for the Masterchef title - not an easy feat, especially under the hawk-eyed scrutiny of judge Ramsay. Shah, however, makes it sound easy. Speaking to us over the telephone from Chicago, she says, "Gordon Ramsay and I get along very well. He's really nice to me. In fact, he's nice to everyone. He helps me with ideas, he has been supportive of my cooking. I feel we make a good team."
Was she never scared of him? "I had heard of him before, of course, but no, I wasn't scared. I think he's nice to us because we are kids. He's not as nice to adults," says Shah, matter-of-factly. While she has cooked a variety of dishes on the show, desserts remain her key area of interest. She has even published her recipe for Chocolate Rainbow Bark in a local publication.
Avani Shah
Masterchef US is not Shah's only claim to fame. The seasoned chef has also participated in cookery shows and programs in her hometown Illinois. She credits her grandparents for her interest in cooking. "It was grandma and grandpa who first taught me how to cook. I started with pancakes and moved on to pastries. I cook a lot of Indian food too. Chicken kebabs are my specialty. But, even though I cook a lot of savoury stuff, my heart lies in desserts." Why, we ask? "Because I like eating dessert! But I also like how desserts stay true to measurements." Even as she mentions that her grandfather is from Mumbai, we ask her if she has learnt to cook any Bambaiyya specialty. "Not yet, but I really want to learn."
Shah grew up watching cookery shows which, she says, inspired her to try her luck in one. "Watching the shows inspired me to start cooking seriously. I want to be a pastry chef when I grow up," says the young cook.
The competition is getting tough as the show is inching towards the finals, but Shah appears unfazed. "It's an honour to be in the top 10. We need to think up ideas on the spot and that part is pretty hard. You never know what's coming, so you cannot really prepare yourself. I have learnt a lot and I hope I am able to use that," she says.
Catch her next on May 28, 9 pm, Star World.
