The journey from underdog to champion came full circle for Gaurav Khanna as he won the inaugural season of Celebrity MasterChef India 2025. With a spectacular finale performance, the actor took home the title, Rs 20 lakh prize, a golden trophy, the prestigious MasterChef coat, and a Bosch kitchen upgrade.
For the finale, the top five contestants—Gaurav, Nikki Tamboli, Tejasswi Prakash, Faisal Shaikh, and Rajiv Adatia—were tasked with creating two-course signature meals that reflected their culinary journeys. Gaurav’s dish “Dakshin Bharat”, made with jackfruit as the core ingredient, blew the judges away.
Chef Vikas Khanna applauded the flavors and balance, calling the dish technically brilliant. Sanjeev Kapoor said, “The bite is so correct—it’s mindboggling.” Ranveer Brar highlighted the dish’s innovation, especially its walnut and peanut pairing.
Gaurav’s dessert, a jackfruit-based ice cream, sealed his victory. Judges praised not only his flavor combinations but the emotional depth of his food.
Nikki Tamboli came in as first runner-up, with her bold thecha-inspired dishes, while Tejasswi Prakash secured third place with her elegant presentation and crystal bread. Rajiv’s experimental thepla panipuri was met with mixed reactions, but Ranveer appreciated the thought behind it. Faisu’s haleem, a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather, touched everyone.
Gaurav’s transformation on the show was remarkable. From having his first dish rejected to becoming a frontrunner in the final episodes, he impressed both viewers and chefs alike with his consistent growth and heartfelt cooking.
Gaurav Khanna didn’t just win a trophy—he made history as India’s first Celebrity MasterChef.
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