Mangalore's Mohammed Ashiq wins Masterchef India Season 8: 5 points

Mohammed Ashiq is the sole bread winner in his family and previously took part in MasterChef India 7 where he was eliminated. (Image credit: Instagram/MasterChefIndiaOfficial).

Mohammed Ashiq, a Mangalore-based juice bar owner, was crowned the winner of Masterchef India Season 8 on Friday. Ashiq won the competition by beating three other contestants- Nambie Marak, Dr Rukhsaar Sayeed, and Suraj Thapa- who were shortlisted for the finale from a total list of 12 contestants.

The finale was judged by Chef Ranveer Brar, Chef Pooja Dhingra and Chef Vikas Khanna, who adjudged Ashiq the winner of the competition who took home the coat and a prize money of Rs 25 lakh.

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Here's everything you need to know about Mohammed Ashiq:

• The 24-year-old is from Mangalore in coastal Karnataka and aspired to be a hotel manager, but financial constraints meant that he had to alter his plans and instead opened his own juice bar called Kulukki Hub in the city.
• Prior to his journey to victory in MasterChef India Season 8, Ashiq was a semifinalist on the Sun Premium Coast Chef reality show.
• Ashiq is the sole bread winner in his family and previously took part in MasterChef India 7 where he was eliminated.
• Ashiq's objective was to offer a glimpse of the Mangalorean cuisine to the world with dishes such as "Fish Fry Mangalorean Style" or "Crispy Paradise". "Presenting Manglurean dishes in a global way is what I aim to do. My attempt is to give the local food an international face since it is often underestimated," Ashiq had said in an interview.
• On Friday, Ashiq was adjudged the winner of the eighth season of the competition. "I am immensely grateful for the whirlwind journey I’ve had on MasterChef India. From facing elimination to holding the trophy, every moment was a profound lesson. This experience has completely reshaped my life, and winning this esteemed title feels surreal. Coming back with stronger determination after narrowly missing out last season was tough, but I devoted myself entirely to the culinary craft. This victory isn’t just mine; it’s for every dreamer who defies the odds to chase their aspirations," he said in a statement.