Media Release

Kasargod, Jan 11: MasterChef India Season 10, which premiered nationwide on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV on January 5, features a unique father-daughter duo from the coastal Kasargod–Mangaluru region, bringing regional flavours to the national spotlight.

The contestants, Avani Sharma (26) and her father Venu Sharma, hail from the Karada Brahmin community, which migrated from Maharashtra nearly 600 years ago and is now settled across Kasargod and Mangaluru. Notably, they are the only duo selected from the entire states of Karnataka and Kerala for this season of the popular reality cooking show.

Avani Sharma, originally from Kudkuli, is a food stylist, artist, art director and teacher, currently based in Bengaluru with her husband. She is well known among food enthusiasts across India through her popular social media platform, Karada Spice Box, which showcases traditional recipes and food styling. Her contest partner, Venu Sharma, is a management consultant by profession.

Promotional videos and trailers featuring the duo have been circulating on Sony’s social media platforms for the past two weeks, generating curiosity and excitement among viewers, especially from the coastal belt.

“Our main motto is to showcase authentic Karada cuisine and traditional Indian vegetarian dishes on an international platform,” Avani said, expressing her enthusiasm about the opportunity.

A proud father, Venu Sharma said, “I am getting name and recognition through my daughter’s cooking skills. It is a moment of pride for our family and community.”

Out of India’s population of over 130 crore, the participation of this father-daughter pair from a small Karada Brahmin community of around 15,000 people has been described as a remarkable achievement.

MasterChef India Jodi Season 10 focuses on promoting Indian food heritage, including millets, Ayurveda-based diets and the vast diversity of Indian cuisines, aiming to take them to a global audience.