Exclusive! MasterChef India Season 7: Chef Vikas Khanna explains the changing relationship with food post the COVID-19 pandemic

Michelin-star Indian celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, who is one of the judges of MasterChef Season 7, believes that the new edition of the show will be unique, as the relationship between food and people has changed post the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a special conversation with OTTplay, Vikas said, "One of the very special factors about the new season of MasterChef is that it is coming after the global pandemic. You see, our relationship with food has changed over time and it changed even more during the pandemic. Many people found comfort in cooking. People are now better aware of local produce and regional food, and more people are making cooking videos. A natural interest in cooking has increased. All of this is helping us and the show overall."

The chef-turned-filmmaker further added, "I think that the focus now is not only on local, but also glocal. Thanks to the internet and the pandemic, people have done research on international food and are trying to incorporate some ingredients in local food to add a twist. You see, these days one can get exotic ingredients in small cities also because of the food chain and the way business has evolved. All this translates in our cooking."

Vikas is not only celebrated for his excellence in cooking, but also as an author and a filmmaker. He made his directorial debut with the film The Last Color, which made it to the Oscar 2020 list of Best Film. His latest short documentary, Barefoot Empress, a short documentary on a 96-year-old lady and her inspirational journey, has also won international awards.

The new season of MasterChef India will be judged by chef Ranveer Brar, Vikas Khanna and Garima Arora, who is the first Michelin-star Indian female chef on the show. The new season begins on January 2, 2023, on SonyLIV and Sony Entertainment Television.