Recently, we shared that one of our employees, Dr Aditi Nevgi would be showcasing her cooking skills on the latest season of Channel 10’s MasterChef.
Aditi is an endocrinologist working in the outpatients clinic at Monash Medical Centre and has been an employee at Monash Health since 2014.
On top of being a talented endocrinologist, Aditi was inspired by watching MasterChef to learn to cook, honing her culinary talents until she appeared on the show herself.
Aditi did an incredible job on the show, competing in complex challenges and cooking a variety of cuisines that saw her soar into the Top 8 of the competition.
Having just hung up her MasterChef apron, we spoke to Aditi about her experiences in the MasterChef kitchen:
What was your most memorable moment on your MasterChef journey?
There were so many! One that stands out is when we had a challenge where Shannon Bennett was there, and we had to flambe something. I was really proud of the s’mores-inspired dish I put up where it was flambeed at the table, with a marshmallow on a stick, and the judges toasted their marshmallows before eating it.
I also loved our cook at the NGV – it’s such a Melbourne institution, so I was thrilled to be cooking there!
What was the most challenging part of the competition?
For me, it was the time pressure, no question. I prefer to cook calmly and slowly at home, really enjoying the process, so to suddenly have to cook under the giant clock was very demanding!
How did you handle the time constraints and competitive environment on the show?
It’s much more stressful than I expected, for sure. I think chatting with the other contestants, some of whom have become good friends, was of big help – they were the only other people who really understood how weird and intense this experience was.
What skills did you learn from MasterChef that you will bring back to work as a doctor?
Just in general, having an outlet outside of medicine has really helped my life in medicine. I am loving being back at work – knowing I have other things going on, on the side makes me appreciate my job more, and I feel much more focused and grateful when I am at work. I missed medicine when I was on the show, so coming back is lovely, and now there are other exciting things happening for me in the world of food.
How has being on MasterChef changed your perspective on food and cooking? Has it changed your cooking style?
Seeing the other contestants and the professional chefs in their element showed me how much more there is to learn. It’s like medicine in a way – there’s no end to how much you can learn! I certainly improved my dessert skills, but I still prefer to cook savoury overall.
Did you meet your cooking hero/icon while on the show?
I met many! It was wonderful to meet Maggie Beer, Poh Ling Yeow, Hugh Allen and Gabriel Gate in particular. That was one of the highlights – meeting these people and having opportunities I could not have imagined.
Were there any specific moments or challenges on MasterChef where you felt your medical background gave you a unique advantage or perspective?
Perhaps a little, but not as much as you might think! I suppose it has taught me how to study hard and manage stress, which was helpful, but the MasterChef environment is so different to the hospital in so many ways.
What advice would you give aspiring doctors passionate about cooking or another creative outlet they wish to pursue alongside their medical careers?
I think pursuing interests outside of medicine can only lead to a more interesting, diverse, and enjoyable life. We are medical practitioners first and foremost, but it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that there is still more to us as people than our jobs. The stress relief these hobbies can bring avoids burnout from the job. It’s not always possible at every stage of our career – especially if trying to get onto training programs or doing exams – but long-term, it’s important to consider your interests outside of your job and ensure you are in a position where you have some time to enjoy them!
Congratulations to Aditi on this wonderful achievement! We are proud to have you with us at Monash Health and wish you all the best in your upcoming cooking adventures.