Masterchef hopeful not just 'curry guy'

15 April 2012 - 02:37 By MONICA LAGANPARSAD
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PASSIONATE: Masterchef contestant Deena Naidoo in his kitchen, which he built himself
PASSIONATE: Masterchef contestant Deena Naidoo in his kitchen, which he built himself

AMATEUR chef Deena Naidoo, who is bidding to become the first Masterchef SA, is so passionate about food that he built his own kitchen.

He is among the remaining contestants vying for the R8-million prize in the popular reality television show.

The 45-year-old IT specialist from Queensburgh in Durban said: ''I've always lived in a positive environment. Everyone is excited, from my friends and neighbours to the guy who delivers the newspaper. Everyone is celebrating this victory."

Naidoo, who has been married to Kathy for 17 years and has three children, said cooking had always been his passion.

''I do most of the cooking at home after a stressful day at work. It is my form of relaxation," he said.

His love for cooking was inspired by his late mother and aunt.

''My mother was an amazing cook, and I've still got her recipes. One day I hope to produce a book dedicated to her."

For the first audition, he prepared a cold dish - an exotic dessert of panna cotta fused with kulfi ice cream (made of rose water and cardamon) with an Italian biscuit. It was topped with pomegranate jelly and a syrupy passion fruit and mango coulis.

The dish so impressed the judges that he was invited to the second audition.

''I did a butter chicken dish. I grew up in a very Indian home, and I needed to pay respect to my culture and where I came from. It was the only curry I wanted to make in this competition, because I don't want to be labelled as the curry guy."

Naidoo was a fan of the UK and Australian versions of the show, telling family he believed he could be the first Masterchef SA .

''I made major sacrifices, taking unpaid leave and leaving my family, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embark on this journey and indulge in my life-long passion."

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