Home cook Mohammed Ashiq, a 28-year-old juice stall owner from Mangalore, emerged as India’s new MasterChef at the end of the cooking reality show’s grand finale aired on SonyLIV on Thursday.

As the winner of the MasterChef India 2023, Ashiq took home Rs 25 lakh worth of prize money and a golden chef coat.

“I am immensely grateful for the journey I’ve had on MasterChef India. People now recognise me. I never imagined I’d reach this far and become one of the finalists. I wanted to prove that I can fulfill my culinary dreams,” an emotional Ashiq said after winning the trophy.

Meghalaya’s Nambie Jessica Marak became the first runner-up of the show, while Kashmir’s Rukhsaar Sayeed ended her journey on MasterChef India 2023 as the second runner-up. Suraj Thapa, a BSc graduate from the small town of Chalsa in North Bengal, finished at the fourth position.

The final challenge for the top four contestants was to create a signature dish that would reflect their journey on the show and showcase their identities. Hailing from a coastal city, Ashiq decided to whip up a seafood dish comprising crab cake mousse, prawn puree with vegetables and a kokum palate cleanser.

Celebrity chefs Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Pooja Dhingra — judges of Masterchef India 2023 — congratulated Ashiq for his achievement after the final. While Ranveer praised Ashiq’s “relentless pursuit for more”, Pooja and Vikas said the new MasterChef has won their hearts as well as the trophy.