In this episode Mohua sits down with Deepa Chauhan — MasterChef finalist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate of Sindhi cuisine. From entering MasterChef at the age of 52 to redefining food through memory, culture, and emotion, Deepa shares her remarkable journey. She opens up about the philosophy behind Sindhi cooking, the layered complexity of Indian flavors compared to Western cuisines, and her belief that food is more than presentation — it’s about connection, nostalgia, and home. This heartfelt conversation blends her experiences as a chef, storyteller, and cultural custodian, offering listeners a taste of resilience, authenticity, and heritage on every plate.

Key Takeaways:

• Age is no barrier – Deepa entered MasterChef India at 52.
• Reviving and celebrating Sindhi cuisine.
• Real joy lies in feeding people, not just social media likes.
• Plant-based food is the future of healthy eating.
• From Amazon forest avocados to Indian thalis – food connects cultures.
• Indian/Asian flavors embrace all six tastes vs. the West’s course-based meals.
• Food is memory, comfort, and emotional connection.

Chapters:

00:00 - Highlights
01:18 - Introduction
02:45 - Deepa’s Sindhi Journey on MasterChef
02:52 - Deepa’s Journey in the Food Industry
05:13 - Deepa’s Food Journey from Age 11
06:55 - Creating Mortars and Pestles brand
08:39 - Traditional Ingredients to Sindhi Cuisine
11:23 - The Truth About Makhani: Sindhi Flavors, Punjabi Myths
13:39 - Beyond Onion and Garlic
15:22 - From Paragari to Baklava
17:25 - Reclaiming the lost recipes and practices
22:51 - Deepa on Keeping Sindhi Cuisine Authentic Yet Modern
25:06 - Cooking Memories, Not Social Metrics
26:50 - Rethinking Plant-Based Narratives
31:07 - Deepa’s Master Chef Experience
34:53 - Asian vs Western food cultures
39:12 - Deepa’s Favorite Recipe

Why This Episode Matters

This episode is more than food—it’s about courage, tradition, and the power of taste memories. Deepa Chauhan shows how cooking can be storytelling, healing, and resistance in a fast-paced, social media–driven world.

Reference Links: 

MasterChef India, Ranveer Brar, Amazon Forest Avocados, Baklava, Sindhi Cuisine

Connect with Us

Mohua Chinappa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohua-chinappa/

The Mohua Show: https://www.themohuashow.com/

Connect with the Guest

Chef Deepa Chauhan: https://www.instagram.com/masterchef_deepachauhan/

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Disclaimer

The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any views expressed by our guests on our podcast and its associated platforms.

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