Have you been watching mainstream programs lately? If you do, you would have noticed that there are quite a few shows featuring South Asians on mainstream TV these days. One of the episodes of ‘My House, Your Money’ features MitulKadakia, who we know from ShiamakDavar International.

However, many of Food Network’s programs feature South Asian particularly Indian cuisine and/or spices. ‘Top Chef Masters’ was won by Chef Floyd Cardoz. Chef Fatima Ali won ‘Chopped.’ Iron Chef America featured quite a few Indian descent chefs as well as food and spices. A few South Asians participated in ‘Recipe to Riches’ last season. In this season of ‘Recipe to Riches,’ Ricky Matharu will be dazzling the audience with his fusion food, butter chicken lasagna. He is hoping to win $250,000 plus having his butter chicken lasagnabecome a President’s Choice product.

We have seen South Asian Canadians make a mark in the fields of Science, especially medicine by their dedication and hard work, now we see the same devotion extending to creative professions such as film and cooking. It is interesting to watch young South Asians participate in reality TV shows where they not only represent their talent, but also their culture, opening up the mainstream to see the South Asian values and traditions at play.

Being on mainstream TV certainly gives these South Asians an opportunity to showcase their talent, but more importantly, it is a gateway for Canadians – all Canadians – to see diversity and Canadian multiculturalism at its best, and to dispel misconceptions about South Asian traditions and culture.