MasterChef awards first apron for 2016

MasterChef Australia has announced the first contestant to be awarded a much-coveted apron for the class of 2016 is Adelaide’s Nidhi Mahajan:

Born in India, 30-year-old call centre worker Nidhi and her husband immigrated to Australia three years ago seeking a simpler life.

Cooking regularly since she was just 12 years old, Nidhi was initially discouraged by her father to pursue a profession as a chef, instead studying finance and accounting.

Nidhi has reached a now-or-never moment and is determined to make food her future. While Indian cuisine is one of her specialties, she hopes to educate people that Indian food is not just about curries and tikkas.