MasterChef finalist Gurkirat Singh, who is set to launch his show Bebe Da Kitchen, promises authentic recipes
Mona
A lawyer by training and a cook by passion, MasterChef finalist Gurkirat Singh is putting both the talents to good use. As he announced his upcoming show Bebe Da Kitchen in the tricity on Tuesday, he shared, “I draft all my contracts myself.”
He is putting his knowledge of law to good use, but it was his preparation for the MasterChef kitchen for years that made him reach the final of the most-watched cooking shows ever.
“I was eight when the first season of MasterChef India was launched. I knew then and there that I had to be here,” said Gurkirat.
In love with sweets and baking, he did wonderfully well when it came to desserts in the reality show. His experience in Bebe Da Kitchen has made Gurkirat see ghiya (gourd) in new light. “This is one sabji that I ran away from, but once Bebe made such sumptuous ghiya wali daal that it is now my favourite.” The show that’s due to air on Zee Punjabi, has bebe–pota (grandmother-grandson) cook together. “You will discover recipes that are not just lip-smacking, but also healthy. Why a particular masala goes in a particular dal and more, the knowledge our grandmothers have is truly mind-boggling.”
Enjoying the limelight that has come his way and love for his YouTube channel, Gurkirat is sure turning into an entrepreneur. He is naming his first restaurant in his hometown Sirsa, Haryana, after his favourite movie 1920. “We are going to create the 1920s vibe with mud walls. Some dishes from the past, I am really looking forward to the venture.”
When not cooking, Gurkirat loves to paint and watch horror films. Due to his busy schedules painting has taken a backseat, but his love for horror films stays. “I watch every Hindi, English and Spanish film in the horror genre.” Gym is another passion or call it necessity! A sweet tooth and baking being his passion, he has to really balance it out to stay fit. “I eat sweet, workout and then I am ready to eat sweet again the next day,” he smiles.
Candid and honest, Gurkirat talks of the days when he practiced as a lawyer and struggled. “I completed law due to my father’s wish, who is a lawyer and also practiced but I couldn’t adjust to the pressure.” He also took therapy to normalise things. “When one is physically sick, nobody minds going to a doctor. But mental health issues go unnoticed.” With a generation hooked on to devices, the situation is grim, “We must normalise the fact that seeking support is fine.”
Happy that he found his calling rather soon, Gurkirat is looking forward to his show. “You must have your bebe, but in our show we have many bebes. They have something special — authentic recipes and a link to tradition, which you wouldn’t find on social media. Catch us soon.”
Know him better
Favourite MasterChef: Nayanjyoti Saikia, the winner of Season 7, which I was a part of. He was also my roommate for the show. He is so reticent, I learnt so much from him.
Comfort food: Maa aur bebe ke hath ka khana. I have tried different cuisines at different places, but at regular intervals I have to have ghar ki daal roti.
Favourite film: 1920, a supernatural horror film. I love horror films in English, Hindi and Spanish.
Holiday destination: I have forever been trying to go to London. Last year, I missed it by a whisker. I am set to ring in Christmas and my birthday, which falls a day later, in London.
