I think most of the migrants struggle in their initial years in Australia and the biggest support that they need would be informational, community and sometimes emotional.

In November 2016, I moved to Australia for a company project on a working visa, navigating the initial challenges of migration. This journey transformed me from an IT project manager to a beloved MasterChef Australia 2019 contestant, reshaping my identity and career. Despite encountering racial abuse, the positive impact and support received in Australia, especially in multicultural institutions, have been significant.

My connection with India remains through food, as a recognized Indian chef using social media to showcase diverse aspects of Indian cuisine. As a Kashmiri Pandit, I keep our traditions alive by celebrating festivals like Shivaratri across Australia. While missing Indian festivals, I believe new migrants need support in their early years, emphasising the importance of cultural cohorts for connection and belonging.

Representing my culinary heritage on MasterChef and SBSFood brought pride, and professionally, I pioneered e-commerce in Australian businesses. As a Program Evaluation Manager in the Department of Transport and Planning, contributing to public service and road safety is a source of pride. My family, including my wife and son who migrated in 2018, found a balanced life in Australia, and we received crucial support for our son’s ASD and ADHD diagnosis.

Having never been in a commercial kitchen or TV show before Australia, my skills as a respected chef and social figure are a direct result of this experience. This marks my second migration, the first being at age 8 when my family fled violence in Kashmir in 1990. Experiencing the full spectrum of migration, from forced displacement to professional success, has shaped my perspective and gratitude.