MasterChef India 9: Beyond barriers, disabled chefs redefine grit, passion and hope, watch

Stories of resilience and courage have taken centre stage as MasterChef India Season 9 spotlighted chefs with disabilities whose journeys go far beyond food. 

While the reality show format remains in the background, it is the lived experiences, strength, and skill of these chefs that have truly captured hearts and dominated conversations online.

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Cooking Beyond Physical Limitations

The latest season has drawn widespread appreciation for spotlighting real-life heroes such as Ratna Tamang, a Nepalese chef who cooks without hands; Manisha Sharma, who lives with secondary Parkinson’s disease; and Hussain, who manages his kitchen in Hyderabad from a wheelchair.

Their stories quickly gained attention on social media, with many hailing them as symbols of grit and inspiration. To honour their journeys, the show presented them with signed MasterChef India aprons as a mark of respect and recognition.

Ratna Tamang: Dreams Stronger Than Disability

Nepalese chef Ratna Tamang left the judges awestruck with his skills. After losing both hands in a tragic electric shock accident in 2015, Tamang chose to rebuild his life through cooking. From finely chopping vegetables to tossing noodles with precision, his technique defied expectations. Ranveer Brar summed it up poignantly, saying, “Swaad haath mein nahi, sapno mein hota hai,” before gifting him a special knife.

Manisha Sharma: Healing Through Food

Manisha Sharma’s story stands out as one of quiet strength. Diagnosed with secondary Parkinson’s disease after slipping into a coma at the age of 14, she shared how cooking became her emotional anchor. 

“Cooking is like magic for me,” she said, explaining how the kitchen allows her body and mind to move freely. The judges lauded her unwavering dedication, acknowledging cooking as both her passion and her path to healing.

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Together, these stories reaffirm MasterChef India Season 9 as more than a cooking show; it is a tribute to resilience, dignity, and the indomitable human.a