Popular television actor Gaurav Khanna, best known for portraying Anuj in Anupamaa, has emerged victorious in the debut season of Celebrity MasterChef. He claimed the top prize, walking away with Rs 20 lakhs, the winner’s trophy, and the iconic chef’s jacket.
Nikki Tamboli secured second place, while Tejasswi Prakash finished third. Finalists Mr. Faisu and Rajiv Adatia couldn’t break into the top three. The grand finale featured the show’s judges, chefs Ranveer Brar and Vikas Khanna, alongside filmmaker Farah Khan. Culinary legend Sanjeev Kapoor also appeared as a special guest. Tejasswi’s partner, Karan Kundrra, was spotted in the audience supporting her.
Gaurav’s journey was filled with highs and lows. In the premiere episode, his dish was deemed “unfit to eat” by Farah Khan. However, over the ten-week competition, he gained admiration for his imaginative approach to cooking and continuous improvement.
Despite being color-blind, Gaurav never let his condition hold him back in the kitchen. His rivalry with Nikki Tamboli was a consistent subplot, as the two frequently clashed throughout the season.
A shadow of controversy followed him into the finale when he was accused of replicating a Swiss chef’s dessert and falsely branding it as his own creation. Nevertheless, his talent shone through—earning several signature “spoon taps” from Ranveer Brar and an exclusive knife award during the final week. Vikas Khanna also commended Gaurav’s growth and resilience.
Rumors hint that Gaurav might join Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 next.
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