Gaurav Khanna’s culinary journey on Celebrity MasterChef has been nothing short of dramatic and inspiring. Once recognized as Anuj Kapadia from Anupamaa, he has now earned a new title ‘Chef Gaurav Khanna’. From the shaky start where he served an undercooked dish in the opening week to becoming the first confirmed finalist, his growth has been evident in every challenge.
The recent buzz around him isn’t just for his cooking, but also for the overwhelming support he’s receiving online. Fans have turned into loyal defenders, especially after he faced criticism for allegedly copying a presentation idea used previously by another chef. A video showing him plating a dessert in a wine glass caught fire on social media. It had syrup dripping down from the cream, impressing even the toughest of critics.
Vikas Khanna, taken by surprise, said, “Yeh nahi expect kiya tha.” Ranveer Brar, equally stunned, shared, “Yeh dessert zinda hai, drop by drop.” These were no casual compliments, such words carry weight when spoken by industry giants.
But the viral moment also attracted some unwanted heat. Some users on social platforms alleged that Gaurav’s dessert concept wasn’t original. They compared it to a dish served by another chef in the past. What started as appreciation turned into online chatter, with fingers pointing at him for lacking creativity.
However, his fans wasted no time stepping in. Supportive comments flooded the threads, with one user stating, “Calling out #GauravKhanna for apparent inspired dish is uncalled for. Nikki’s zoodles, thecha paneer, naan bombs are all inspired dishes. Every contestant has taken inspiration, EVERYONE.” Another defender echoed, “You can get inspiration from any dish & make your own version of it. So what’s the big deal? Just unnecessary banter this… #chefgaurav you did good!”
Clearly, the audience wasn’t ready to let him be discredited. Many highlighted how it is common for chefs to reinterpret popular dishes with their own twist. Gaurav’s dessert was visually stunning and showcased his evolving skill set. Even before tasting, Vikas dropped the spoon in admiration, and Ranveer gave the iconic “spoon tap” –, a rare honor for any contestant.
Despite the swirling rumors and debates, the love from fans remains consistent. There are unverified reports floating around that Gaurav Khanna might be the winner of this season. But the finale is still pending, and no official confirmation has been made. The mystery lingers.