MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah reveals why he closed his Adelaide restaurant Gaja on Pirie Street

A MasterChef favourite has told why he sold his city restaurant, and revealed his big plans for the future.

MasterChef favourite Sashi Cheliah has revealed he shut down his flagship Adelaide restaurant to focus on projects interstate and overseas, as “challenging” economic conditions hit the city’s hospitality industry.

The popular Adelaide chef admitted it was a difficult decision to close the doors of his Pirie Street eatery, Gaja by Sashi, on August 26, and its sister venue, Gaja Express, on Waymouth Street.

“Initially when I started Gaja, it was only a family business and I was there physically managing it,” he said of the restaurant which he opened in late 2019 – just months before the pandemic.

“But with my (plans to) expand, I don’t have the time... I either need someone to run the business or I need to sell it.

Former MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah. Picture: Tom Huntley

“It was a hard decision. It was my flagship restaurant in Adelaide. It was hard but it was a business call and I needed to do it to grow bigger.”

Cheliah, who won season 10 of Ten’s reality cooking show, said he’ll be spending more time overseas and interstate, with some “interesting projects” planned in the new year.

It’s understood these will include a restaurant in the Middle East and ventures in major cities around Australia.

“Now I can focus on the food and I don’t have to worry about the numbers,” said Cheliah, who launched his first international restaurant, The Pandan Club, in India last year.

“Having more support, collaborating with investors and companies on projects, is important for me.”

The former prison guard-turned-chef said the tough economic conditions in Adelaide’s CBD was another factor and the city’s hospitality business owners are facing challenging times.

Sashi Cheliah, with wife Rabicca and sons Ryan and Marcus. Picture: Supplied.

“The business was still doing well... (but) it was not the same as what it used to be before Covid,” he said.

“There was obviously a lot of restrictions imposed, then the financial and inflation issues came about and that has caused a significant change to the market, especially in the CBD.

“Working from home is also not a great thing for the industry. There’s been a massive change in how people are consuming (food) and going out for lunch in the city.”

While Singaporean-born Cheliah wil be spending more time away from his adopted home, he said he’s not planning to make a permanent move anywhere else.

“Adelaide will always be home, it’s my base and my family, my kids and wife, don’t intend to leave here,” he said.

“I’m also not ruling out Adelaide for future business opportunities. If they arise then we’ll be doing something down the road.”

Originally published as MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah reveals why he closed his Adelaide restaurant Gaja on Pirie Street