Bradford’s Radha Kaushal-Bolland has reflected on how MasterChef inspired her new career in food.
The 24-year-old law graduate’s ambitious dishes saw her reach the MasterChef final.
The life-changing opportunity saw her take a leap outside of law and become the ‘Spicy Flexitarian’.
She launched a successful takeaway and private dining service – featuring some of her MasterChef creations – as well as a specially curated menu for Prashad.
Meanwhile she’s taking her cooking skills to food festivals and schools, including Bradford College, and hoping to inspire the next generation.
Now she’s ending the year as a chef at Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough.
Radha will be serving up Michelin-star meals under the guidance of executive head chef Josh Barnes.
Reflecting on 2022, Radha told the Telegraph & Argus: “I can’t believe it’s only been a year since I was on MasterChef. It’s not even been a year since it aired but I’ve done so much. I’m so proud of myself.
“From a dyslexic girl at school who had to really sit down and work I’m really proud. I got myself a law degree, that’s always there to fall back on. This is just the start now.
“I applied for Masterchef on a one-off really. I said, let’s just go for it and see how far I get.
“My mum and dad said just get an apron and pass the first round. I didn’t even imagine a career in the food industry. When I realised I’m in the final three it would be silly not to have a career within the food industry.
“It’s something I love doing. Food and cooking is a real passion of mine. Once it aired I set up my business.
“I’ve got trusted people in the background who are working on that for me while I’m at Goldsborough Hall. For me now it’s about learning the skills and techniques and refining that. Yes I’ve been on MasterChef but that wasn’t professional. I haven’t had any training. Now it’s my time to really learn and focus and refine the skills I’ve got.”
Speaking about her new role and chef Barnes, she said: “He’s got so much knowledge and experience under his belt. I’ve already started working there and it’s been amazing. I’ve learnt so much.”
When she isn’t working in North Yorkshire, Radha returns home to her family in Clayton.
"Bradford has got the youngest populaion and it's about inspiring as many people as possible," she said.
"So many people move down South but the problem is you're leaving your roots behind."
Radha recalled Susan Jeffer’s book, Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway.
She said: “The message would be, feel the fear but do it anyway. I used to be afraid of rollercoasters. I would always say, ‘I’ll hold the bags’. I would always see my friends come off a rollercoaster with a buzz and I’d been missing out on that. It’s about feeling that fear. I never look back now, I absolutely love them.
“You can always gain on knowledge. You don’t have to start off with everything. You can ease yourself into it.”
Radha spent part of her young life growing up in County Durham before the family moved to Bradford.
Radha boarded at the now closed Malsis School and Repton School, Derbyshire.
When she's not in Harrogate, she lives with her parents, brother and 14-year-old yellow Labrador, Elsa.
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