Jobaaj Stories
Gaurav Khanna Wins Celebrity MasterChef, Takes Home Rs 20 Lakh Prize
Actor Gaurav Khanna has been crowned the winner of the first season of Celebrity MasterChef. After three months of intense competition and emotional moments, Gaurav lifted the golden trophy and walked away with the title and a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh.
The grand finale was judged by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, culinary expert Ranveer Brar, and filmmaker Farah Khan. Gaurav's final performance, which included a soulful kathal (jackfruit) preparation followed by a delightful ice cream dessert, won high praise from all three judges.
Throughout the episode, emotions ran high. As Gaurav presented his dish, he became visibly emotional, saying, “As an actor, I’ve never cried on camera. This is my first reality show.” The moment touched the judges, who embraced and encouraged him. Sanjeev Kapoor offered heartfelt advice, saying, “Ab tak shayad emotions se bhag kar yahan tak pahuche ho. Aaj se zindagi shuru karo, emotions se jud ke.”
While Nikki Tamboli finished as the first runner-up, Tejasswi Prakash secured the third spot in the competition.
A Journey of Grit and Growth
Gaurav’s journey on Celebrity MasterChef wasn’t easy. He started off on a tough note with a brinjal dish that failed to impress the judges. Instead of being disheartened, he treated it as motivation to improve in each round.
Midway through the show, Gaurav revealed he is color blind—a condition that made identifying ingredients and presentation much harder. Yet, he never let it become a barrier. His dedication and creativity began to shine, and week by week, he became one of the strongest contenders.
He was also honored with Ranveer Brar’s signature knife—an act that signifies deep respect among chefs. His dishes often received the judges’ signature “spoon taps,” with one dessert even earning the emotional “spoon drop” from Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna.
Though Gaurav recently faced plagiarism allegations regarding a dessert, Chef Vikas Khanna publicly supported him and dismissed the claims, backing his originality.
Gaurav’s Emotional Statement After the Win
Reflecting on his win, Gaurav said,“Winning Celebrity MasterChef feels unreal. This show took me far out of my comfort zone. Cooking in front of legends like Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar was a learning experience I’ll never forget. Farah Khan’s constant encouragement meant the world.To everyone who’s ever felt like a misfit or struggled to find their place—this win is for you. Hard work, learning, and believing in yourself can truly change everything.”
Gaurav also thanked the audience for their support, saying their love kept him motivated.
