Food and reality television fans in India have a new culinary competition to look forward to as MasterChef Asia makes its debut on Indian television. The revamped 10-episode series brings together former contestants from across Asia for a fresh set of cooking challenges, with the competition filmed against the vibrant culinary backdrop of Macao.
When Will MasterChef Asia Premiere in India?
MasterChef Asia will premiere in India on TLC on September 22, 2026, at 9 PM. Viewers who prefer streaming will be able to watch the series on discovery+ from October 2.
The series has been produced by Warner Bros. Discovery and CreAsia Studio, part of Endemol Shine India, with Banijay Rights handling international distribution.
Who Are the Contestants?
The competition features 10 culinary talents representing different countries and regions across Asia. The lineup includes Vietnamese-Australian chef Khanh Ong, restaurant owner Sahadol “Pond” Tantrapim, Malaysian pastry chef Marcus Low, and Korean gastronomy specialist Areum Yoon.
Other contestants include Audrey Wicksana, Therese Lum, Mime Kataniwa, Ivory Yat and Macao-based Sandy Tang. India will be represented by Nambie Jessica Marak, who is known as the Culinary and Cultural Ambassador of Meghalaya.
Marak is particularly notable for bringing the flavours and culinary traditions of Northeast India to an international competition. She was previously a contestant on MasterChef India, where she finished as the first runner-up.
Who Are the Judges?
The judging panel features renowned chefs Edward Lee, “Pam” Pichaya S. and Kelvin Cheung. The show will also feature guest judges including food content creator Mark Wiens, Abi Marquez, Chef Ken Chong and Chef Julien Tongourian.
What Can Viewers Expect?
Unlike a competition restricted to a traditional studio kitchen, MasterChef Asia takes contestants across Macao. Challenges have been filmed at local markets, Michelin-starred restaurants and specially designed cooking locations, allowing the series to combine culinary competition with the region’s food culture.
The contestants will be tested on their cooking skills, creativity, versatility and ability to work with different ingredients and flavours. As they compete for the MasterChef Asia title, each challenge will provide an opportunity to showcase their individual culinary styles.
The new series expands the long-running MasterChef format, which was created by Franc Roddam and launched in 1990. According to the show’s producers, the format has been commissioned in 74 markets worldwide.
For Indian viewers, the participation of Nambie Jessica Marak adds a distinct regional flavour to the competition, making the September 22 premiere a notable addition to the country’s food and entertainment calendar.
