`‘Masterchef’ takes me back to my roots`

Mumbai: Actor Akshay Kumar says his new tele show Masterchef India reminds him of the days when he worked as a cook in Thailand before tasting success in Bollywood. Akshay will be seen hosting and judging the culinary show on Star Plus beginning from October 16. "Before I became an actor, I was working as a Chef in Thailand. This was the only job that I managed to get there, and I loved cooking that time. This show takes me to back to my roots... reminds me of my past," Akshay said. The `Khiladi` was learning martial arts in that country while working as a chef before he took to acting, and his love for cooking is well-known. "Cooking has fascinated me since I was 14. I like cooking. I cook whenever I am at home... may be once a week or once a month," said the actor, who turned 43 today. Talking about the show, Akshay said, "It will showcase different traditional `Hindustani khaana`. The show will provide a platform to acknowledge and encourage the culinary skills of passionate cooks and groom them to become professionals." The 43-year-old actor will be judging the show along with Chefs Kunal Kapoor and Ajay Chopra. The show intends to unearth the best cooking talent in the country from among 12 contestants who will be competing for the coveted title of ‘Masterchef’. PTI