Master Chef Australia’s Ben Ungermann gives Bengaluru a taste of his ice cream
When Ben Ungermann lost at the MasterChef Australia final last season, fans accused the judges of “orchestrating” the result. My 6-year-old, who was following the competition closely, was heartbroken and actually wept when the winner was announced. The result had come down to one point and the dramatic finale also had Ben slicing his finger while preparing a dish.
I caught up with Ben Ungermann, who is on a world tour, as he plated desserts for his Indian fans at a recent event at The Whitfield Arms in VR Bengaluru. Ben has already been to Japan, England, Holland, South Africa, Indonesia as part of the tour and is headed next to Thailand.
After we tasted his signature beer ice-cream, Ben settled down for a candid chat with Yahoo India.
I couldn’t help but ask him how it felt when he lost to Diana Chan in the nail-biting cook off. He flashed his warm smile as he took a swig of beer and said, “I was disappointed – I thought I had done enough to win the day but unfortunately it didn’t go in my favour. Having said that, Diana in my opinion was probably the strongest cook in the competition. But I had learnt so much by the time we had hit the grand finals, I felt that we were definitely equals.”
Excerpts from the chat:
Any regrets?
No, not one actually. If I had to do it all again, I’ll do it the same. You know what, I would gladly come second again. Obviously I didn’t come away with any prize money. Since the show, I had to continue to do work. This idea of the world tour came up and I have done it and it is the best thing that I have ever done. I have learnt so much, I have seen so many beautiful places and I have met so many beautiful people. In a way, it’s been a blessing.
Among the countries that you have visited, what has been your best experience till now?
I am not saying this because you are interviewing me but my best experience so far, has been in India purely because of the people. I love the people here, they are so accommodating, there’s such a rich food history. You guys believe in sharing meals together and that’s a big part of your culture and I love that.
From what you have tried in the Indian cuisine, what’s your favourite?
I have tried idli and I really like that. I think it’s quite cool – the idea of fermented rice. My best friend is actually Indian and in Australia we don’t eat goat but every year on Christmas, he does me a favour and he makes his goat curry for me, which I absolutely love. It’s one of my favourite things and while I am here, I hope I get to try the goat curry.
Have you tried any Indian desserts? Any favourites?
I have tried something like the marzipan – I like the kulfi and then there’s the other one – cashew that’s been crushed down – I think it’s chikki. Then I had brown ball – I think the gulab jamun, it’s soft and its drowned in syrup…I really loved it.
I want to definitely explore the more of the dessert side of India. I want to pull it apart and try to reinvent it. Sometimes, I feel the countries with the really homely cuisines and the shared plating have the most delicious food out of anyone. Sometimes I like to take those flavours, pull it apart and reinvent them, so that they look gourmet but have the same original taste in them.
After the world tour is done, what are you planning for next?
Actually I am working on a cookbook. My world tour finishes in December. I’ll be migrating to Indonesia to do some work there. Coming March-April, I’ll release the cookbook and then there’ll be another book tour.
What’s the one thing that you will take from India when you leave?
You know what, it would have nothing to do with food, you guys already have an amazing cuisine and I love it. What I like to take from here is the people, honestly the people make this country and I absolutely love it. I would gladly come here any day of the week.
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