The ALFA MasterChef at Ozora in Acropolis on October 13 showcased the talent of those who are passionate about cooking. Six teams gave tough competition to one another and three teams emerged victorious. The team captains were allowed to request two additional ingredients and they all had an hour and a half to create dishes. Each team had to create a cocktail, main course and dessert, with prizes for every category.
Making the rounds exciting were some fun rules. The teams had to incorporate a secret ingredient into the dishes. One team member was blindfolded while tasting and adjusting the seasoning of the dishes. If the host announced a 10-minute wrap, they had to double their speed to prepare the dishes.
Further, a mystery judge was appointed to visit the stations and the team members had to convince them as to why their dish was the best. Here’s a twist: Two members of each team had to down shots when the timer struck 45 minutes.
“It was a super fun event; I was so happy and excited to see what everyone had planned for their menus, also the level of excitement in all the participants. Everything they came up with was amazing, everything tasted good. It was so difficult for me to choose the winners,” said Sneha Singhi Upadhaya, the judge of the event
Judged by Sneha Singhi Upadhaya, the event had something to offer each of the members of the six teams.
Aglio e Olio by Team 3
Ritika Karnani
“We turned up the heat, stirred up some laughter, and seasoned the day with unforgettable memories. Hosting a MasterChef for ALFA was a recipe for an amazing time, where the joy of cooking met the joy of being together,” said Ritika Karnani from the social committee.
The winners:
Best Team: Team 1
Captain: Rachita
Members: Shreya, Pooja, Yash Gupta, Umang and Arihant
Jal Phal by Team 1
Best Cocktail: Team 1 for Jal Phal
“ALFA Network’s cooking showdown felt like stepping into the real MasterChef arena. With guest chef Sneha Singhi as our guide, it was a whirlwind of flavours and fun. The sizzle of teamwork added the perfect spice, turning it into a delicious blend of competition and camaraderie. Proud to say, our team clinched victory with the best main course,” said Team 3 captain Ruchira Jaiswal
Best Main Course: Team 3 for Aglio Olio
Captain: Ruchira
Members: Satyam, Vidhi, Aakansha, Ankit, Aditya and Shripriya
“Tonight’s ALFA event was a perfect example of a time when too many cooks ‘don’t’ spoil the broth! Our team bagged the award for the best dessert... our very own version of a hazelnut chocolate mousse. It was a well-curated event that all of us bonded over,” said Team 4 captain Kriti Sureka (also the chairperson of ALFA Network between 2019 and 2020)
Best Dessert: Team 4 for Chocolate Mousse
Captain: Kriti
Members: Sharadha, Ritika Karnani, Pooja Bhartia, Harsh Nahata and Rohan
Best presentation: Team 5
Captain: Aditi
Members: Shruti, Soni, Vivek, Divij and Payal
Best communication: Team 6
Captain: Divya Mehta
Members: Divya, Bhatter, Nisha, Sagar and Shashank