Sashi Cheliah
Sashi Cheliah | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 10, 1979 Singapore |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Known for | Winner of MasterChef Australia season 10 |
Sashikumar "Sashi" Cheliah (born 10 June 1979) is an Australian chef of Indian heritage originally from Singapore, who emerged as the champion of MasterChef Australia season ten in 2018. He developed his culinary reputation through launching pop-up dining experiences in both Melbourne and Adelaide. In 2022, Cheliah broadened his business interests to Chennai, India, and participated once more as a popular contestant on MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites (season 14), where he placed 19th.
Background and personal life
Cheliah grew up in Singapore and completed his education at Swiss Cottage Secondary School followed by ITE College in Yishun. As the eldest sibling among seven children, he dedicated 12 years to the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) unit within the Singapore Police Force, focusing on tactical operations, rescue missions, counter-terrorism efforts, and protective services for high-profile individuals. Cheliah is married to Rabicca Vijayan, a nurse, and together they have two sons. The family moved to Adelaide in 2012.
Culinary career
Cheliah’s culinary interest was sparked by his mother’s café and homemade family dishes, a passion that intensified after settling in Australia. In 2018, he earned a spot among the Top 24 contestants on MasterChef Australia and ultimately secured victory with an unprecedented score of 93 out of 100 in the grand finale. He made a comeback in 2022 for the fourteenth season of the series, concluding his run in 19th place.
Following his television success, Cheliah introduced Gaja by Sashi, a pop-up restaurant specializing in Singaporean flavors located in Melbourne’s central business district. By November 2019, he had launched Gaja in Adelaide, solidifying his footprint within the Australian culinary scene.