Hiral Agrawal – Journey from Nigeria to MasterChef & being an incredible woman!
In this candid interview, Hiral Agrawal shares her journey from her childhood in Nigeria to her experiences on MasterChef India, the creation of her flourishing bakery and confectionery stores in the city of Gorakhpur, and her inspiring message for women everywhere. Hiral is vivacious, full of zeal and fearless – this conversation will inspire women to be true to themselves, to work with their strengths and never hesitate to try.
MOSAIC: Let’s start from the beginning. Can you tell us about your childhood and young years and how those years shaped you?
Hiral: My childhood in Nigeria was incredibly formative. My father worked there for many years, and we had a close-knit family. Growing up in a diverse environment like Nigeria exposed me to many different cultures. We had a mix of African, Indian, and European influences, and I think that’s where my curiosity for food began. I remember trying new cuisines and being fascinated by the flavours. But beyond food, Nigeria taught me the value of community. I grew up seeing how people supported each other, and that sense of togetherness, and learning respect for each other away from classism or judgements. My mother was the heart of our family instilling in us important life values. Those early experiences with her are still a huge influence on me. My time in Nigeria made me appreciate the richness of life and the beauty of different cultures, and it also sparked my love for food.
MOSAIC: How did your love for food evolve from those early days in Nigeria?
Hiral: It evolved naturally over time. The culinary diversity in Nigeria left a strong impression on me. But it wasn’t until I started travelling later in life that I truly explored this passion. With family I travelled to different countries, trying new dishes and learning about the stories behind them. I think that’s when I realized that food is so much more than just sustenance—it’s filled with emotions and stories. When I got married, I was fortunate to become part of a family that also loved food. My husband, Amit, and his family are all big food lovers. They’ve always supported my passion, whether it was trying out new recipes or helping me pursue my dreams. In fact, it was my mother-in-law who encouraged me to experiment with food and try new recipes. She has always believed in my abilities, and her faith in me gave me the confidence to put myself out there. Even when I started my business, Cake O Holics, my in-laws were incredibly supportive. They understood that this was something I was passionate about and gave me the freedom to pursue it without hesitation. Having a family that stands by you, especially when you’re trying something new or challenging, makes all the difference.
MOSAIC: Tell us about your experience on MasterChef India. What was that like?
Hiral: MasterChef was an unforgettable experience, but it wasn’t easy. I competed in season 2, and while I didn’t win, I gained so much more than I could have imagined. There is a funny story here, my husband applied for MasterChef without informing me, and when I got the call from Season 1 I thought it was a prank and put the phone down. The call never came and so I missed out on the first year. Then next year I applied again. Out of the thousand candidates I was selected amongst the top 40 and then went on to top 11. I believe I was there because they could see my food speak of my character and my personality making the dish unique besides having a focus on ingredients and flavours. Also, I am expressive so I could tell a story for each creation and every dish to stand out. I remember being eliminated in the top 11, and even though it was disappointing, I knew it was for the best. A week after I got eliminated, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I had to be there for her, and if I had still competed, I would have had to leave. Everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe that.
MOSAIC: How was life post MasterChef and did it bring new opportunities for you?
Hiral: MasterChef opened so many doors for me. It gave me great confidence, and it made me realize that I wanted to turn my passion for food into something bigger. I started getting orders for cakes, I also ventured into taking cooking workshops for women in my community. After some time, I knew I wanted to
start my venture, which led to the creation of Cake O Holics. It wasn’t just about making cakes; it was about bringing global flavours and creativity to my hometown, Gorakhpur. Soon after, I launched Spice O Holics, a cloud kitchen that allowed me to experiment even more with food.
MOSAIC: Tell us about Cake O Holics. How did the idea come about?
Hiral: Cake O Holics started as a boutique bakery in Gorakhpur, and the idea was simple: I wanted to introduce sugar free cake and new flavours to a market that hadn’t been exposed to them before. When I started, people in my hometown had never heard of things like sushi or mezze. It was a challenge, but I believed in what I was offering, and I was confident that people would love it once they tried it. Cake O Holics wasn’t just a business to me—it was my creative outlet. I loved experimenting with flavours and creating new concepts even with cakes. It wasn’t long before it became a local favourite, and that gave me the confidence to expand.
MOSAIC: You’ve faced some personal challenges as well, including your battle with cancer. How did that experience change you?
Hiral: Being diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2020 just when the pandemic happened, was a life-changing experience. It came out of nowhere, and I had to put everything else on hold to focus on my health. But I chose to look at the positives. It was during the pandemic and lockdown that I had time to focus on myself and not the business. I had my family with me, Amit and the kids were by my side, and I had their full support throughout my treatment. Going through cancer puts everything into perspective. You realize what’s truly important, and it makes you appreciate life more. After my treatment, I came back with more determination than ever. I knew I had to focus on my health, but I also wanted to continue pursuing my passion. That’s when I opened new stores and expanded Cake O Holics even further.
I also started mentoring women and visually impaired students, which has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I always wanted to be a teacher and when I got a connect from a Bengaluru-based NGO to teach, it was incredible. Students come from all over the world, and their determination is so inspiring. As some students were from Nigeria I also got the chance to reconnect with my Nigerian roots through speaking Pidgin English after 25 years. It’s funny how life brings you back to where you started.
MOSAIC: Can you tell us which sustainable practices you have incorporated into your business?
Hiral: Sustainability has always been important to me. From the beginning, I’ve focused on sourcing local ingredients and minimizing waste. I believe in making the most of what we have instead of importing things just because they’re trendy. For example, when I introduced peanut butter in my cooking classes, people didn’t know how to use it. So I taught them how to incorporate it into multiple recipes, reducing waste and making the ingredients more versatile. Another way we promote sustainability is by working closely with local vendors. By creating demand for better-quality ingredients, we help them grow, and in turn, they help us with fresher, local produce. It’s a cycle that benefits everyone.