In the lively suburb of Purley, amid England's diverse culinary scene, resides Yogita Nagara, a seasoned Strategy Manager whose love for cooking stems from her upbringing in Hyderabad, India. Embarking on her MasterChef journey, Yogita brings a wealth of flavours influenced by her heritage and global adventures. Her culinary voyage began under her late mother's guidance, whose intuitive cooking style shaped Yogita's approach. Blending her Maharashtrian roots, Southern Indian upbringing, and worldly travels, Yogita's cuisine honours diversity, authenticity, and spice. Cooking transcends mere skill for her; it's a heartfelt tribute to her family and a bridge to her cultural identity. Here’s her exclusive interview with Asian Voice:
1. How does it feel to represent South Asians on MasterChef?
I feel super proud to be able to represent South Asians and especially to represent our culture through food to wider audiences, as there is so much variety in our food which is an integral part of our culture which embodies sharing caring and love.
2. Why do you think the global gourmet community loves MasterChef - the concept?
I think the global gourmet community loves MasterChef not just in the UK but around the world due to the diverse nature of the show bringing in people from all walks of life irrespective of their origin to share their love for food and educate people about the global cuisine.
3. What are some key South Asian dishes you wish to make this season?
I had plans to make plenty of dishes from a global perspective taking experiences from my travels but focussing on my roots, especially from the south of India and Maharashtra as that is where I grew up. I wanted to stay with time-tested, traditional and authentic recipes ranging from a variety of rice and bread dishes such as Bisi Bele bhaat, biriyani, Akki roti to lentil-based crepes such as Pesarattu, festive thalis, unique desserts such as beetroot halva, chiroti, Indian afternoon tea with a variety of savoury and sweet dishes and more.
4. How is your family reacting to your participation in the show this year?
My family are extremely proud of my achievement of getting on the show as no one that we know personally has been on any platform like this. They constantly support me and encourage me to do more, knowing my passion for food as I can cook and serve a variety of cuisines and I am using my Instagram page yogsy_tales to showcase this for now.
