Known by his season 10 castmates as the smiling assassin, Sashi Cheliah‘s MasterChef Australia: Foodies vs Favourites co-stars are under no impression that beating him a second time will be easy.
Sashi was able to finesse any MasterChef challenge that came his way during his 2018 stint, proving to the judges that he had a rare knack for whipping up a delicious meal out of literally anything.
His initial win saw him score a history-making 93 out of a possible 100. And now, four years later, you butter believe that the father-of-two is ready to claim a second victory.
What Has Sashi Cheliah Been Doing Since He First Won MasterChef Australia?
Since taking out the top gong in 2018, Sashi has had a huge career in the food industry.
Straight out of the MasterChef Australia kitchen, the South Australian opened his own pop-up restaurant, Gaja by Sashi in Melbourne.
It was such a hit that in November 2019, Gaja became a permanent establishment in Adelaide.
Like many MasterChef greats before him, Sashi also launched his own home chef kits under the brand Sashi’s Secret.
Cooking Is a Cheliah Family Passion
The eldest of seven children, Sashi and his siblings grew up in Singapore. It was here that the food enthusiast’s passion for cooking was formed, particularly in his family’s local cafe.
Recalling his favourite childhood memories, Sashi said he loved to watch his mother and aunties cooking for the family.
“Whenever they cooked, I was always in the kitchen watching,” he wrote on the Sashi’s Secret website. “Food is a huge part of my culture and there’s always plenty of food to prepare at every cultural festival and event.”
However, Sashi didn’t follow his passion for food straight away. Instead, he worked for 12 years in the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) unit of the Singapore Police Force. In this position, he trained in tactics, rescue operations, counter-terrorism, kidnappings and high-profile protection in the riot police.
Sashi Has Passed His Passion On to His Own Children
In 2012, Sashi and his young family moved to Adelaide where he worked as a prison guard at a women’s correctional facility.
With more leniency in his work schedule, the TV cook was able to spend more time cooking for his wife, Rabicca and their two sons, Marcus and Ryan.
Sashi has even passed on his skills to his children, with Ryan having competed in Junior MasterChef Australia in 2020.
Heading back to the small screen for MasterChef Australia: Foodies vs Favourites, the smiling assassin is ready to prove he still has what it takes to be the top chef.
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