Sashi Cheliah, one of the judges on Celebrity MasterChef Tamil, knows the heat of the competition kitchen better than most — because he once stood in it himself. The culinary personality won MasterChef Australia Season 10 in 2018, a triumph that set him on an extraordinary path from contestant to celebrated chef and now, to judge.

A Journey He Never Anticipated

Reflecting on his remarkable trajectory, Sashi described the experience as 'fantastic yet unexpected.' 'When I first went into MasterChef Australia, I never imagined that I would actually win the competition,' he said. 'I went in simply wanting to challenge myself, learn, and see how far I could go. But as the competition progressed, I started winning challenge after challenge, and that gave me a lot of confidence.'

His run on the show was historic. Sashi went on to claim the Season 10 title while also recording the highest score of 93 in the history of MasterChef — a record he remains proud of. 'I also achieved the highest score of 93 in the history of MasterChef, along with a couple of other records, so there were many milestones along the way that I'm extremely proud of,' he noted.

Returning as a Judge: A Different Lens

Sashi described stepping into the judging role on Celebrity MasterChef Tamil as a kind of homecoming, though one viewed through an entirely new perspective. 'When I was a contestant, I knew exactly what it felt like to stand in that kitchen, with the clock ticking, the pressure building, and the judges watching every move you make,' he said. 'Now, as a judge, I get to see that journey from the other side and hopefully use my own experience to guide and encourage the contestants.'

Notably, this dual vantage point — having lived the pressure personally — gives Sashi a depth of empathy that few judges can claim. His insider understanding of the contestant's mindset is expected to shape how he mentors participants on the Tamil celebrity edition of the franchise.

Gratitude and the Road Ahead

Sashi credited audience support as a pillar of his journey. 'I feel extremely fortunate and grateful for everything that has happened. Most importantly, I've been very lucky to receive so much love and support from people around me and from the audience throughout this journey. That support has meant a lot to me, and I'm genuinely thankful for it,' he said.

His culinary career has expanded significantly since his 2018 win, evolving from competition cooking into building a presence in the food industry — a progression that now finds its latest chapter on Celebrity MasterChef Tamil. With his record-breaking competition pedigree and firsthand knowledge of what contestants endure, Sashi brings a rare combination of authority and empathy to the judging table.