The fine-dining event was hosted in CERO on 19 – 20 August 2023, on a pre-booking basis, with tickets selling out in a day! After all, two renowned faces in the culinary industry were the ones behind the scenes. Chef Rashedul Hasan won hearts for being the first Bangladeshi participant in MasterChef Australia. Growing up in Dhaka, he has fond memories of his family cooking fresh meals, which sparked his interest in cooking.

Having both sides of East and West Bengal at home, Kishwar Chowdhury was able to broaden her palette. Her father, who’s from Bikrampur, is someone she describes as a ‘wholesome and hearty cook.’ Hence, neharis, biriyanis and bhunas remained his M O in the kitchen. Through her mother, who’s from Burdwan, she was introduced to meals that required light and delicate ingredients. “Growing up with my father’s Nawabi, Bengal-Mughal inspired dishes and my mother’s lighter dishes, we really had the best of Bengal at home.”

Jock Zonfrillo, a judge from the popular cooking reality show “MasterChef Australia”, passed away yesterday at the age of 46. The news was confirmed via a statement from Channel 10.

"I started my journey with a simple dream of writing a book for my children", she shared at the talk. 

The gifted chef, Kishwar Chowdhury, has just arrived in Dhaka on March 16, after bagging the 2nd runner up position at the MasterChef Australia Season 13. The talented chef has been invited to Bangladesh by the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF), a visionary institution founded by Durjoy Rahman, supporting all kinds of artists and art forms including the culinary delights of South Asia and beyond.

At every step of her journey in the MasterChef kitchen—from her fried sardines with beetroot and blood orange to a date-nestled, ice cream infused paan and panta bhaat with aloo bhorta—Kishwar Chowdhury has talked about writing a cookbook for Bangladeshi recipes as her ultimate dream. In this episode of Star Book Talk, Daily Star Books editor Sarah Anjum Bari talks about food, books, and cookbooks with Kishwar Chowdhury.

Matt Preston, renowned food writer, critic and judge on the hit TV show MasterChef Australia is here in Bangladesh to promote the cookie brand Rivoli.