After Yrs of Ill Health, I Switched to Plant-Based Recipes & Secured a Spot in MasterChef
Originally reported and written in January 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content. All through her school and college years, Priya Vijan suffered from allergies. Every morning, she’d wake up sneezing and with a runny nose. “I would get chest congestion, sinusitis and severe migraines regularly, and used to consume antihistamines every second day for close to 10 years,” says Priya, who hails from Bengaluru. After college, she started working as a freelancer with event production companies. But she knew that a corporate career was not for her, so the commerce graduate quit her job in 2011, planning to start a business from home that requires little investment. On a friend’s advice, she decided on baking, though she had no particular interest or background in cooking until then. But in 2012, she kicked off Melt It Down, a home baking business, learning everything from scratch. Within a year, she had started taking up orders. In 2012, Priya kicked off Melt It Down, a home baking business, learning everything from scratch. In 2019, she took a break from baking and enrolled in a nutrition course. And that is where she understood the importance of a plant-based diet and the negative impacts of animal products, dairy in particular. Eventually, her concept of food transformed from being a means of satisfying one’s taste buds to a source of nutrition. Priya opens up about her journey towards good health in a conversation with The
After years of battling allergies and a series of health issues, Priya Vijan, a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Bengaluru, discovered a simple yet transformative solution: switching to plant-based recipes. This journey not only improved her health but also led her to secure a spot in the popular cooking competition, MasterChef.
Priya's health struggles began during her school and college years, when she would wake up every morning with sneezing fits and a runny nose. Chest congestion, sinusitis, and severe migraines were her constant companions, forcing her to take antihistamines every second day for nearly a decade. Despite her challenges, she pursued a commerce degree and initially worked as a freelancer in event production. However, she quickly realized that a corporate career was not for her. In 2011, she decided to start a home-based business that required minimal investment. With a friend's encouragement, she chose baking, a field she had no prior interest or background in.
In 2012, Priya launched Melt It Down, her home baking business, learning everything from scratch. Within a year, she began receiving orders, and her passion for baking grew alongside her business. However, in 2019, she took a break from baking and enrolled in a nutrition course. This was the turning point in her life. During the course, she learned about the importance of a plant-based diet and the negative impacts of animal products, particularly dairy.
Priya's understanding of food transformed from a source of pleasure to one of nourishment. She decided to experiment with a plant-based diet, starting with giving up dairy products. Born in Kashmir's Baramulla to Punjabi parents, this was no easy task, as dairy is an integral part of Punjabi cuisine. Nevertheless, she embarked on a 21-day experiment. To her surprise, she noticed a significant improvement in her health. She no longer needed to take her medicines as frequently, and her allergies began to subside.
Inspired by her newfound health, Priya began exploring plant-based recipes, incorporating legumes, millet, and other whole foods into her diet. This shift not only alleviated her health issues but also sparked a newfound creativity in her cooking. She started experimenting with different flavors and techniques, discovering a passion for culinary arts that she had never imagined.
In 2022, Priya decided to take her newfound skills to the next level by auditioning for MasterChef. Her plant-based creations, infused with her unique twist of Indian flavors, captivated the judges. She secured a spot in the competition, representing the power of a plant-based diet and her journey towards better health.
Priya's story is a testament to the transformative power of food. By making a conscious decision to switch to plant-based recipes, she not only improved her health but also discovered a new passion that led her to national recognition. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, showing that even the smallest changes in diet can lead to significant improvements in well-being. As she continues her culinary journey on MasterChef, Priya Vijan remains a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the potential of plant-based living.
