MasterChef star Depinder Chhibber had viewers unexpectedly in tears on Sunday night with an Indian street food dish.

MasterChef’s Depinder Chhibber left viewers in tears on Sunday night after serving a ‘very special’ dish. Photo: Ten

MasterChef proves time and time again that food isn’t always just food – sometimes it’s meaningful in ways that you might not even expect. On Sunday night, the judges asked those taking part in the elimination round to create “tableside theatre” and add flair to their dishes to enhance the dining experience.

Rue, Theo, Andre, Depinder, Beau, Snez, Tim, Matt, and Jamie were cooking to save themselves from elimination and had 75 minutes to create their dish. The contestants also had to add a little something that would elevate the dish, but not overpower it.

MasterChef’s Depinder becomes emotional over ‘special’ dish

Depinder Chhibber created Raj Kachori for the judges, which involves several different elements that come together to form the dish, which she assembled in front of them.

Raj Kachori is a popular street food in India and consists of a crispy hollow puri shell, which is then filled with different sweet, savoury and tangy ingredients. Depinder used potatoes, chickpeas, spiced yoghurt, chutney and more to bring the dish together, and it was mouthwatering.

The judges absolutely loved Depinder’s dish. Photo: Ten
“Serving this dish to the judges is a really special moment for me, because this dish captures my childhood,” she told the cameras, adding the judges are going to be “hit by a flavour bomb” with the meal.

Poh Ling Yeow said she was “salivating” while watching it get assembled, while Andy Allen added he was “fixated” by it.

“That’s a little work of art,” Poh added.

Speaking of her creation, an emotional Depinder said, “I’ve had it my entire life, and even now, when I go, it’s like making me emotional, but I’m so, like, intrigued. Like, when I watch it. I don’t know why I’m crying.”

She described having it as a child, saying, “It just kind of took me back.”

“And you’ve taken us there too, so it’s really special,” Sofia Levin told her.

“That’s very special for me to hear, thank you,” Depinder responded.

The judges had nothing but praise for the plate of food, with Andy saying, “There is just so much going on, and it just works! It just works seamlessly, and all of your senses are going wild.

“I can only explain it as like, in looks, and taste, and texture, it reminds me of how I describe India and that is like seamlessly chaotic.”

Sofia added, “If Raj Kachori is the king of street food, you’re the queen. That’s so good!”

MasterChef viewers praise Depinder and say they ‘bawled like a baby’

Depinder’s Raj Kachori looked mouthwatering. Photo: Ten
Fans, especially Indian fans, were quick to praise Depinder, with one writing on Instagram, “I had it yesterday in Delhi, and as an Indian looking at this video right now, it’s making me tear up. Thank you @depinder_ for doing this for all of us.”

“Thank you for representing a part of Indian cuisine to the world!” another said. “People have reduced us down to butter chicken and garlic naan! Thank you for giving them a glimpse of what else we have to offer from the wide range!”

“You do justice to Indian food,” a third said. “Representing it so beautifully at an international platform, you go girl! @masterchefau thank you for accepting all cultures with open arms.”

“This is so wholesome, I can relate to what food means to her so deeply,” someone else wrote. “It fills my heart!”

“I love you Depinder being an Indian girl I am so proud of my Indian culture and food,” another said. “Thanks for sharing this beautiful story it’s very heartwarming.”

“Seeing something we all had in our childhood on MasterChef, it’s a very proud and sensitive moment for us all,” one viewer added.

“Bawled like a baby,” another admitted.