After months of pressure, passion, and plates that told stories, Sanjula Manoj walked away as the very first winner of MasterChef Sri Lanka. From travelling nearly eight hours just to make it to recordings in Colombo, to recreating memories from his parents’ humble hopper shop, his journey was nothing short of inspiring. Today on The Buzz with Danu, we speak to the man who turned dreams into dishes and walked away with the MasterChef title.

1. First of all, how does it feel to officially be crowned the first-ever MasterChef Sri Lanka winner?
It honestly still feels surreal. There were so many talented contestants this season, and to know that I became the first winner in Sri Lankan history is something very emotional for me and my family. Every sacrifice, every sleepless journey, every challenge feels worth it now.

2. Looking back at the competition, what would you say was your biggest turning point?
Without a doubt, the hopper challenge. That round was very personal to me because my mother and father used to run a small hopper shop when I was growing up. I have so many memories connected to that. I think that challenge reminded me where I came from and gave me confidence. That round helped push me into the semifinals.

3. You mentioned the semifinals were especially difficult. Why was that stage so challenging for you?
The semifinals really pushed me out of my comfort zone. The three-layer cake challenge was extremely tough because baking in that style wasn’t something I was fully confident in. It tested my patience, precision, and ability to stay calm under pressure. I think mentally, that was one of the hardest moments for me in the competition.

4. What was going through your mind while preparing your winning dish?
I wanted the dish to represent who I am and where I come from. I wasn’t trying to overcomplicate things. I wanted flavour, emotion, and technique to come together naturally. When I finally plated it, I just hoped the judges would feel the story behind it.

5. The journey from your hometown to Colombo for recordings was not easy at all. Tell us about that experience.
It was nearly seven to eight hours of travelling sometimes, and there were moments when it became exhausting physically and mentally. But I kept reminding myself why I started this journey. Today, standing here as the winner, I feel grateful that I never gave up.

6. What did MasterChef teach you beyond cooking?
Discipline, resilience, and believing in myself. Cooking is emotional, and this competition taught me that food can connect people in powerful ways.

7. Finally, what would you tell young Sri Lankans watching you today and dreaming of becoming chefs someday?
Never underestimate your roots or your story. Sometimes the things you grow up around even something as simple as a hopper shop can become your greatest strength one day. Believe in yourself and keep going.