'Glocal' cuisines to take centrestage on 'MasterChef India' 5

Taking a cue from the refinement of taste of an average Indian, thanks to the awareness about international cuisines, the fifth season of "MasterChef India" will focus on local food with a global touch.
Chefs Vikas Khanna, Kunal Kapur and restaurateur Zorawar Karla are set to judge the latest edition of the competitive culinary show, which will feature "glocal" recipes, exotic destinations and challenges that will push the contestants to their limits.
"In the last few years, perception about food has changed alot in India. There is a lot of awareness about different types of cuisines. All kinds of ingredients are now available in the country as opposed to five years ago when there was no access to such materials," Vikas told PTI.

The Michelin-starred chef, who has been a regular feature on the show since its second season, said the evolution of the food palette of people in the country will reflect on the show as well.
"All kinds of recipes are available online. People can experiment and that has influenced the show. The palette of the people, which is now glocal, will reflect on the show."
Kunal was not part of the last season of "MasterChef India" but the chef said he is happy to be back as he has loads of experience, which he gathered while travelling around the world with his TV show.

"I come to this season with the experience of my travels last year. I learnt a lot as a chef about ingredients, food trends, techniques and I will share the knowledge with the contestants and help them."

This season contestants are not just India-based but also from cities like Dubai, San Fransisco and London. Kunal says the current lot of contestants are well-prepared and have an international level of cooking.
"The contestants are already exposed to world cuisines. They understand what is expected of them and they are prepared," said Kunal, adding this season all the drama about contestants' life story will take backseat as food will be the hero of the show.

The new addition to the show is Zorawar Karla, who is behind popular restaurants like Farzi Cafe, Masala Library, Masala Bar among others.
"I have come on the show to give the perspective of a restaurateur. I will mentor contestants about a dish's saleability, presentation, technique, modernity and fusion," Zorawar said.
"MasterChef India" season 5 will air on Star Plus from October 1.