Gaurav Khanna’s path on Celebrity MasterChef was more than a competition, it was a story of growth, passion, and resilience. Known for his acting, Gaurav surprised audiences with his cooking talent. His determination to learn the craft from scratch helped him win the show.
However, the sweet success turned a bit sour. Soon after the dessert gained popularity, people began accusing him of copying a Swiss chef’s work. Trolls claimed that Gaurav had recreated someone else’s dessert and was unfairly receiving praise. The backlash online was harsh.
On Pinkvilla, Gaurav finally addressed the controversy. The show surprised him with the presence of Prabhas, the chef who trained him during Celebrity MasterChef. Gaurav’s face lit up seeing his mentor. He immediately expressed gratitude for the guidance and support. He credited Prabhas for helping him learn and execute the dessert that later became the center of discussions.
In a candid moment, Prabhas asked Gaurav how he dealt with the online trolling. Gaurav smiled and calmly replied, “What will I face? 8 Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna gave the answer. When Dronacharya is giving the answer, does Arjun need to answer?” It was a dignified way to shut down the criticism.
He shared that Prabhas was the one who introduced him to the art of food presentation. He learned not just recipes, but also how to plate and present dishes in a refined way. Gaurav praised the entire training team on the show for their patience and effort. According to Prabhas, Gaurav was among the most hardworking contestants. He remembered Gaurav staying for long hours after shoot, just to practice and perfect his cooking.
Gaurav also opened up about a different chapter from his career. He spoke about his time on CID, where he played Senior Inspector Kavin. When asked about the recent news of Shivaji Satam’s exit from the iconic show, Gaurav appeared genuinely taken aback. He said he was shocked when he first heard it. “I think there will be something to it, but it was strong news. I really could not fathom CID without Satam sir,” he shared.
The mention of CID brought back a wave of memories for Gaurav. He recalled how much food was a big part of their shoot routine. Every cast member was a foodie. He spoke fondly of those lunch breaks filled with different dishes. Among all his recollections, one stood out. He remembered how Shivaji Satam made him lassi every single day on set. That small, thoughtful gesture stayed with him.
Gaurav was part of CID for nearly a year, and during that time, his biggest daily concern was food. The way he smiled while talking about those meals and the camaraderie on set showed how close-knit the team was.
From playing intense roles on television to creating magic in the kitchen, Gaurav’s journey has been anything but ordinary. He faced challenges with grace, tackled criticism with silence and wisdom, and let his work do the talking.