With the third season of cooking reality show Master Chef India is nearing its end, the three finalists visited the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti to pray for their success.
Doyel Sarangi, Navneet Rastogi and Ripudaman Handa, who have emerged as the top three contestants of this season after fighting for 14 long weeks, also prepared a special 'zarda' (sweetened, saffron rice) and offered at the holy shrine.
Chefs Vikas Khanna, Kunal Kapur and Sanjeev Kapoor serve as judges this season, which will culminate on June 14 on Star Plus.
Doyel, a housewife for Kolkata has had a dream run on the show. Her dishes have been often selected as the best by the judges and she says her journey will come to a perfect end when she wins the Master Chef title.
"It has been a struggle for me. Leaving my two-year-old son behind and spending six months away from home was not easy for me. But when I see where I stand today, I feel great about myself. Being a housewife, I used to always think about food but in a limited way. Only my family knew that I cook well. But with this platform I am glad that I have come out of my home's kitchen and proved what I am actually capable of," said Doyel.
For Navneet, this is his second chance to win the coveted title which he could not last season. For the caterer, this is his last shot to attain his dream of becoming a chef.
"My family is into the catering business in Varanasi and I am the fourth generation in the family to look after it. I am happy that I got a second chance and by the grace of God I did much better than last time. I am keeping my fingers crossed," he said.
Being the youngest contestant on the show, Delhi boy Ripudaman has been a revelation. His innovative cooking techniques and quick thinking impressed the audience and judges alike. But the gym instructor wants more and has his eyes set on the Rupees 1 crore prize money, a cookbook deal and the title of course.
"I was the youngest on the show but I am glad I could come up with good dishes and surprise the judges. Participation on the show has been a turning point in my life. I never thought that it would turn out this way. Whatever the result will be, I have only good things to take back," Ripu said.
