The year 2012 has begun on a positive note for 29-year-old Shipra Khanna, who walked away with the title of Masterchef in the second season of the cooking reality show MasterChef India. Shipra emerged as the winner beating co-competitor Salma Shazia Fathima from Bengaluru in the grand finale hosted by Akshay Kumar.
When asked if the feeling has sunk in, Shipra replied, “Not yet. Masterchef has given me a second life. I’m still in the mode of getting dressed for the kitchen like we did in the show. I was shattered at one point in life, and was about to give up but this win has strengthened me. I am standing tall today and ready to face the world.”
Talking about her hardships, Shipra shared, “People would demean me and say that I can’t do anything in life. My close friend told me once that she’s so successful and financially independent that if her husband left her, she wouldn’t suffer like me. She was right but I never answered back to anyone, I remained quiet. But my victory has silenced everyone. I don’t have to prove myself to anyone.”
Difficult times are part of life and Shipra chose to emerge out of hers. “One day, I just decided to stop crying. Living through a difficult marriage and being strong for my children, the only thing that gave me peace was cooking. It was there in my bad and good times and it gives me immense happiness to cook. My mother filled the online form for Masterchef and encouraged me to give it a shot. It was a mother’s instinct that saw me through.”
Remembering the judges and other contestants, Shipra said, “I got along very well with Devika, Dolce, Jyoti aunty, Puneet uncle and Rajendra Mane. As for the judges, they are the best mentors any amateur chef can ask for. They’ve guided all of us at every step.”
Meanwhile, Shipra said she wants to donate a part of the `1 crore prize money to a deaf and dumb school in Shimla, which she visits often. She said, “When I visited the school for the first time, I saw these children were so happy with each other. I forgot my sorrow looking at their happy faces.”
Having found her wings at last, Shipra wants to soar. “I lived to please others, but it’s time for me to do something for myself. I want to earn, take my own decisions and be independent. I want to study and brush up my skills, and in future, would love to open my restaurant.”