Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has hosted a reception in honour of Bangladeshi-Australian Masterchef Australia grand finalist Kishwar Chowdhury marking the International Women’s Day.  The reception, held on Wednesday, celebrated Kishwar Chowdhury’s success in promoting the richness of Bangladeshi culture and cuisine to Australians. It also celebrated her achievements as a woman of Bengali background pursuing her dreams in Australia.  The High Commissioner said, “Few have done more than Kishwar to promote in Australia a better, more fully rounded understanding of Bangladesh, including its outstanding achievements in improving the lives of its people. Kishwar has also helped draw a picture for Bangladeshis of Australia’s surprising, rich, diverse multicultural character.” Also read: Kishwar finishes as 2nd runner up in Masterchef Australia Grand Finale The event was attended by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior diplomats, business and NGO representatives, and young women chefs, providing them a unique opportunity to be inspired by Kishwar Chowdhury’s achievements. The event was organised as part of the Australian High Commission’s continuing celebrations of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Bangladesh. Also read: Kishwar Chowdhury: The woman who brought traditional Bangladeshi dishes in MasterChef Australia

A Bangladeshi woman has won much applause following her participation in MasterChef Australia, a competitive TV cooking show that is a global phenomenon. The Bangladeshi expatriate Kishwar is a 38-year-old lady with two kids who finds delight by presenting Bangladesh dishes to her family members, she said at the programme. Kishwar, who lives in Melbourne of Victoria with her family, prepared a Bangladeshi dish with sardines at the competition. Her dream was to write a cooking book presenting Bangladesh food recipes and Bangladeshi flavor, she explained at the show with wet eyes. Also read: French chef Bocuse restaurant loses 3rd star after 55 years “If I don’t do that this food recipe and flavor will fade with me, I really want to pass them to my children,” she said while describing her small dream. The judges of the show immediately passed her a Yes card after tasting the food, making her qualify for the round of 24 in the competition. One of the judges said “This is testament to the fact that simple food, you have nowhere to hide with it, can be the best and most triumphant in the world.” MasterChef Australia is an Australian competitive cooking show based on the original British MasterChef. Initial rounds consist of a large number of hopeful contestants from across Australia individually "auditioning" by presenting a food dish before the three judges in order to gain one of 50 semi-final places. Also read: Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes dies at 59 with wife by his side The semi-finalists then compete in several challenges that test their food knowledge and preparation skills. The contestants will then be whittled down through a number of individual and team-based cooking challenges and weekly elimination rounds until a winning MasterChef is crowned. The winner plays for a prize that includes chef training from leading professional chefs, the chance to have their own cookbook published, and $ 250,000 in cash. Read Iftar Items, Recipes for Ramadan in Bangladesh