FEATURED ON MASTERCHEF INDIA - JANUARY 5, 2026

On January 5, 2026, my episode on MasterChef India Season 10 was officially telecast. I prepared noodles on the show, and the judges appreciated my dish. They gifted me a signed apron and a knife - a moment I will always treasure. This experience gave me even more confidence to continue my mission and inspire others through cooking.

My Story

My name is Ratna Bahadur Tamang, and I come from Sindhupalchok, Nepal. My life has been a journey of struggle, survival, and hope.

My Early Life

At the age of 7, I left home and walked alone to Kathmandu. I worked in rice mills, food stalls, roadside restaurants, dhabas, and as a household helper. I washed dishes, cleaned rooms, cooked tea and snacks, and slowly discovered my passion for cooking.

By age 15, I worked as a hotel helper in Pokhara. Later, I went to India and spent six years working in food stalls and dhabas, where I learned South Indian cooking. I eventually became a kitchen cook in Mumbai.

A Life Changing Accident

After returning to Nepal, I trained as a welder and worked in Malaysia, Qatar, UAE, and Iraq. In 2015, after the Nepal earthquake, I came home. While welding temporarily in Kathmandu, I suffered a severe electric shock. I was unconscious for three weeks, and when I woke up, I learned that both of my hands had been amputated.

Those days were filled with pain, fear, and darkness.

Finding Strength Again

With the love of my sisters, brother in law, nieces, nephews, and kind supporters, I slowly rebuilt my life. I received prosthetic hands and taught myself to cook again.

Today, I live in a rented room in Kathmandu and share my cooking journey on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Many people tell me they find inspiration in my videos.

My Dream: A Small Kitchen Studio

I want to build a small kitchen studio where I can:

• Create better cooking content to inspire more people

• Prepare meals for families in need

• Show that disability does not mean inability

• Share Nepalese food culture with the world

• Train young people who want to learn cooking

How Your Support Will Help

Your contributions will go directly toward:

• Setting up a proper kitchen studio (equipment, tools, and space)

• Ingredients and meal distribution for needy families

• Supporting my mission to turn struggle into service

Closing Words

Life without hands is unimaginably difficult. But with determination and support, I have turned pain into purpose. I believe food can bring joy, dignity, and hope.

I humbly ask for your support. Thank you for standing with me.

- Ratna Bahadur Tamang

Nepal