The grand finale week of Celebrity MasterChef India has begun, and emotions are running high. For the first time ever, a reality cooking show welcomed celebrities into the MasterChef kitchen. And what a journey it has been. From nervous first attempts to plates worthy of fine dining, the transformation has been nothing short of incredible.
Hosted by the lively Farah Khan, the show features celebrated chefs Ranveer Brar and Vikas Khanna as judges. Their reactions and guidance have added warmth and charm to the competition. The top five contestants, Gaurav, Nikki, Tejasswi, Faisu, and Rajiv have battled through several intense challenges to secure their place.
In a recent episode, it was Gaurav who captured everyone’s attention. Assigned ginger as the hero of his dish, he stunned both the judges and his fellow contestants. The plating alone stopped people in their tracks. Before even tasting the food, Chef Ranveer and Chef Vikas gave him a rare gesture, both a spoon drop and a spoon tap. The judges were seen admiring the creation for several minutes, unable to believe what they were witnessing.
But soon after the applause, whispers began online. Social media users claimed Gaurav’s dish looked too familiar. A few even posted images of what they called the “original version.” Accusations of copying started to surface. While some believed Gaurav had imitated the concept, others defended him.
Rajiv, one of the finalists and Gaurav’s close friend on the show, was quick to speak up. In a heartfelt video, he addressed the criticism. He explained that Gaurav didn’t copy anyone, but rather took inspiration, which, according to him, is something every artist does at some point. He said people should value the effort behind the dish and not judge too quickly.
Shortly after, Chef Vikas Khanna also responded. Using his Instagram stories as a platform, he wrote, “For all those commenting on Gaurav’s dish, please tell me which chef created it first in the world. Meringue dripping cones have been done for decades. What amazed us was the overall flavor and presentation.” With this statement, Vikas made it clear that creativity often begins with inspiration, not imitation.
When I ws hurt & disappointed I hd voiced out, so appreciation where due.#VikasKhanna didn't hv to speak up, nt like plagiarism articles on #GauravKhanna ws gonna hurt his glorious career, yet he spoke up & that in my eyes is huge.
Thank u @TheVikasKhanna#CelebrityMasterChef pic.twitter.com/k862XhEUbv
— Namz❤️🩹♻️ (@PadhaiKaroPadai) April 8, 2025As the season closes, Celebrity MasterChef has proved that passion for food goes beyond fame. The stars came not just to compete, but to express. And through it all, the kitchen became more than a cooking space rather it became a stage for redemption, for joy, and for unexpected victories.