Akshay Kumar at the launch of Masterchef India; (below) Akshay relishes the cake that he cut at the event a day before his birthday on September 9

He wielded a ladle. He tossed some ingredients together. He didn’t cook. But he danced. Akshay Kumar is back to where he spent the initial years of his life — in the kitchen. This time as the host and judge of Masterchef India, a show that tests the culinary skills of 12 amateur but passionate cooks. At the launch of the STAR Plus show in Mumbai last Wednesday, it wasn’t Akshay the Bollywood superstar that the world got to see. It was the family man Akshay, only too eager to reconnect with his roots and his “first love” — cooking!

“I have always enjoyed working with food. After all I started my career with it in Bangkok (Akshay worked as a cook-cum-waiter while training in martial arts in Bangkok). When the show was offered to me, I grabbed it because Masterchef ne mujhe apni aukaad dikhayi by taking me back to my roots,” smiled Akshay looking dapper in a black suit and sequinned black hat at the late evening launch in Film City, Mumbai.

Based on the international Masterchef format where contestants are judged on their ability to whip up innovative delicacies under pressure, Masterchef India is a notch above the ordinary cookery show. “The show is packed with emotions, excitement and cutthroat competition. Great cooking not only leads to great food but also great drama,” said Akshay.

Participation from common people — homemakers to executives to students — will be the USP of Masterchef India. “It’s a format that makes heroes out of our core group — housewives. We will deal with real people in real everyday situations,” said Uday Shankar, chief executive officer, STAR India.

In his role as masterchef, Akshay will be assisted by two other judges — eminent chefs Kunal Kapoor and Ajay Chopra. “I will be a very hands-on judge and host who will try and bring some knowledge and a whole lot of fun to the show. My role is predominantly that of a ‘charming game changer’. I will keep making the game difficult for the contestants at every level,” laughed Akshay who will be seen whipping up some of his favourite dishes — Thai green curry for example — on Masterchef India.

After hosting two seasons of an action reality show like Khatron Ke Khiladi, why shift to a cookery show? “Masterchef brings together two of my passions — cooking and camera — and I was more than glad to be a part of it,” said Akshay.

“Akshay self-selects himself because he is passionate about food and intuitively understands the melody of cooking. There couldn’t have been anyone better than him for Masterchef India,” added Shankar.

Set to air over 12 weeks from October 16, Akshay has already started shooting for Masterchef India. “I must say the quality of the contestants has been great. It’s amazing to see the dedication and knowledge of food in some despite being amateur cooks,” said Akshay.

Besides a cash prize of Rs one crore, the winner will host a cookery show and also will be given the opportunity to launch a cook book.

So does Akshay the actor ever metamorphose into Akshay the chef at home? “Depends on my work schedule. I cook for Twinkle (his wife) and (son) Aarav once a week. I don’t cook too often kyunki main paisa kamata hoon aish karne ke liye, ghar mein kaam karne ke liye nahin!” smiled Akshay who played a vegetable cutter in Chandni Chowk to China.

And what is that one thing that the meticulous cook would never be caught dead doing in the kitchen? “Entering without washing my hands!”