The diversity in India’s food palate has left MasterChef Australia judge Gary Mehigan fascinated, especially since his view of the country’s cuisine was limited. The celebrity cook, who explored the flavours of India for a new TV show, said the country’s chefs can change the world’s view about “desi” (local) cuisine.
FOX Life’s Far Flung with Gary Mehigan catches the adventurous side of the chef as he travels through the far-flung markets of Asian countries such as India, Vietnam, Laos, South Korea and Hong Kong.
Mehigan, who co-owns Melbourne-based The Boathouse restaurant, says the uniqueness of the Indian cuisine is the different cooking methods used across the country. “I love the subtle flavours down south. Also, Gujarat and West Bengal would be fun. I would love to do the ride from the southern tip right up to the Himalayas, but I will need to be fit for that one.”
The 48-year-old chef and restaurateur says he grew up “in the UK and was used to eating Indian food. But after my visit to India, I realised how one-dimensional the Indian food being offered in the UK was.”
“Things are changing of course, but there is an enormous opportunity for brilliant Indian chefs to change the world’s perspective of the cuisine. What’s always fascinated me about Indian dishes and recipes is that they are quite different from my classic French training. They are often completely upside down and confusing for me, which is the thrill of course,” Mehigan said.
So, where does he go to enjoy Indian cuisine when not in India?
“Mainly at home, now that I have learnt to cook dosa, appams and potato bhaji, I’m trying to develop the flavours of my curries,” he said.
The Far Flung with Gary Mehigan series began in India, where he discovered the secret behind the popular Mumbai tiffin boxes and tried his hand at cooking the dishes for one. He then experienced the craziness of Delhi’s street food.
He also travelled to Jodhpur to witness the Rajasthan International Folk Festival and shared his love for the city, its people and the food with the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
Mehigan’s next stop in India was Chennai, where he visited the Royal Enfield factory and rode a Continental GT — a long-time dream. He also explored the city’s famous fish markets and cooked on the beach.
“I am excited [about my new show]. I hope they [viewers] see not only different parts of India but also other parts of Asia. There is always a sense of trepidation when you put out a new show, but we are pretty pleased with how it’s come up,” he said.
“I don’t go looking for monuments and cathedrals, I would rather discover restaurants, markets, and local food producers. A great way to see a city is on the bike. It makes me feel like a local and gets me to places I might not normally visit.”
About his passions, the chef said: “Food, family and motorcycles are the obvious ones. I love my dog, Molly. She is a gorgeous rescue dog and I love her to bits. I also enjoy teaching and inspiring people to cook. It’s just such a wonderful and personal experience, I love making people smile.”
Mehigan believes that “if more world leaders cooked and ate together, the world could be a different place”.
