After weeks of thrilling culinary battles, emotional moments, and high-stakes challenges, Celebrity MasterChef India 2025 crowned its first-ever winner—television star Gaurav Khanna. The actor lifted the golden trophy and took home the coveted MasterChef coat, along with a Rs 20 lakh cash prize and a luxury kitchen upgrade from Bosch appliances.
In the grand finale, the top five finalists—Gaurav Khanna, Nikki Tamboli, Tejasswi Prakash, Faisal Shaikh, and Rajiv Adatia—presented two-course signature meals to the judging panel: Sanjeev Kapoor, Ranveer Brar, Vikas Khanna, and Farah Khan.
Gaurav’s dish, titled “Dakshin Bharat”, featured jackfruit as the star ingredient. It earned rave reviews for both innovation and technique. Sanjeev Kapoor called it “mindboggling”, while Vikas Khanna praised its technical finesse, saying, “Gaurav is killing it.” Ranveer Brar was particularly impressed with the walnut-peanut pairing, calling it “a sign of true culinary evolution.”
Gaurav also served a soulful jackfruit dish and a dessert ice cream, which won over the panel. Judges couldn’t stop praising the depth, creativity, and emotional resonance behind his preparation.
While Nikki Tamboli emerged as the first runner-up, impressing with her fiery Maharashtrian flavors, Tejasswi Prakash was declared second runner-up with her visually stunning crystal bread. Rajiv Adatia’s quirky thepla panipuri prompted Farah Khan to question its place in a finale, to which Sanjeev responded, “Any dish can qualify if executed well.”
Faisal Shaikh’s haleem, a tribute to his late grandfather, earned emotional appreciation from the panel.
Gaurav Khanna’s journey on Celebrity MasterChef was a remarkable transformation. Starting as a novice whose early dishes went untasted, he grew into a chef whose creations wowed the judges. With each challenge, Gaurav showcased innovation, creativity, and heartfelt storytelling through food. His humility and determination resonated with fans across the country. As he reached the grand finale, his inspiring rise stood as a testament to passion and perseverance. Here are nine unforgettable moments that defined Gaurav’s evolution on the show and cemented his place as one of the most beloved and deserving contestants of the Celebrity MasterChef season.
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