Celebrity Masterchef 2025 Finale Highlights: Gaurav Khanna wins Celebrity MasterChef trophy and Rs 20 lakh cash prize

While Nikki Tamboli came in as the first runner-up, Tejasswi Prakash was declared the second runner-up

Judges Farah Khan, Sanjeev Kapoor, and Ranveer Brar crowned Gaurav Khanna as the winner in the finale episode that aired minutes ago. He was awarded the golden Celebrity MasterChef trophy and the coveted chef’s coat. Gaurav impressed the judges with his soulful kathal dish and ice cream dessert, earning heartfelt praise and winning their hearts.

When Chunky Panday told Faisal Shaikh that he is looking for a boy, but not for daughter Ananya Panday

Chunky Panday went to Faisu's station while Faisu was busy cooking. Farah and Chunky shared a fun banter with him when Faisu said, “Aaj kal main ladka dhund raha hu.” (I am looking for a boy these days.) Farah looked shocked and turned to Chunky, who quickly clarified, “Not for Ananya, mere restaurant ke liye.” (Not for Ananya, for my restaurant.) Faisu was also left baffled by Chunky's unexpected comment and burst out laughing.

Gaurav Khanna is Celebrity MasterChef winner

Tejasswi Prakash becomes the second runner up, Nikki Tamboli become the first runner up. Nikki says, 'I am the winner for myself.'

Celebrity MasterChef to get its first winner

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor presents his words of encouragement. Vikas Khanna has to leave due to an emergency for New York to attend his restaurant. Winner will also get a kitchen upgrade.

Gaurav Khanna breaks down in tears

"As an actor, I have never cried on camera, I keep my emotions away. This is my first reality show.' Sanjeev advice him, "Ab tak shayad emotions se bhag kar yahan tak pohche ho. Aaj se zindagi shuru karo, emotions se jud ke." All the judges came and hugged him and encouraged him.

The grand finale begins, the finalists present their first course.

Rajiv Adatia, Tejasswi Prakash, Gaurav and others present their finale dish. Farah feels to present the crystal bread, she could have chosen a different plate.

When Nikki Tamboli’s boyfriend Arbaz Patel sent her a coffee mug with their pictures on it

A sweet moment took place when judge Farah Khan noticed a personalized coffee mug on Nikki’s station. “Oh my God, ye toh humne dekha hi nahi. Nikki and Arbaz sitting on a tree. So cute this is,” she exclaimed. Nikki revealed, “For the past two days, my dishes haven’t been great. So he sent this mug as a good luck charm. He couldn’t come, but he sent this.” Chunky, never short on humor, added, “If you don’t win it, steal it!”

The actress is fondly known as the Thecha Queen on the show. Apart from elevating her authentic thecha with multi-cuisines, Nikki also unveiled her emotional side and shared some heartbreaking moments from her personal life. From not celebrating Holi in her brother's memory to recalling her grandfather's last wish; she made several revelations.

Gaurav Khanna reveals he used to live in Hussein Kuwajerwala’s house during his initial days in Mumbai

The judges invited Gaurav’s longtime friend and actor Hussein Kuwajerwala to the MasterChef kitchen. Gaurav, overwhelmed with emotion, shared their deep bond: “Yeh meri family hai. When I came to Mumbai toh Hussein ke ghar pe hi rehta tha, khaata tha. My initial days in Mumbai were with him.” Hussein playfully added, “Tune mera bahut namak khaya hai. Tune mere ghar ka bahut namak khaya hai. Now it’s your turn to come to my home and cook for us.”

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares his contact to help Tejasswi Prakash chase her Michelin star dream

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor revealed that he’s been following the show closely and knows about Tejasswi Prakash’s dream of earning a Michelin Star. In a touching gesture, he handed her his contact card and encouraged her to keep in touch. Tejasswi was touched by the gesture and said, "This is huge". She thanked Sanjeev Kapoor. For Tejasswi, the gesture served as a touching reminder of the constant support and faith Karan has shown in her. Throughout her time on Celebrity MasterChef, she has frequently expressed her ambition to launch her own restaurant and eventually earn a Michelin star.

Karan Kundrra brought his panda jacket for girlfriend Tejasswi Prakash

The surprise appearance of actor Karan Kundrra, who arrived not just to support his girlfriend, Tejasswi Prakash, but also to bring along a meaningful memento — his panda jacket, which holds a special place in their love story. As Tejasswi prepared for the biggest cook-off of her life, she was visibly stunned and delighted to see Karan walking into the MasterChef kitchen. The reunion was not just romantic but deeply personal. Karan presented her with his panda jacket — the same one he had gifted her during their time together on Bigg Boss, the show where their relationship first blossomed. “This is a good luck charm from me,” Karan said. “We were doing a show together, it was my jacket and I had given it to Teju then. It was with her, but right now it was at my home and she had forgotten about it.”

Sanjeev Kapoor, Ranveer Brar and others praise Nikki Tamboli’s ‘unapologetic’ dish

Nikki left the judges and guest Sanjeev Kapoor in awe with her inventive dish that featured noodles made out of rice, drawing high praise from the culinary legends on the panel. Nikki revealed how she prepared a mutton dish along with noodles made with rice and a mango chutney. Chef Vikas Khanna, impressed by the creativity, remarked “We often look up to the West for such dishes, but look at this—it’s good good.” He further added, “I’m blown away with the idea of making noodles with rice,” calling it a stroke of innovation rarely seen.

Gaurav Khanna breaks down in tears as he presents his last dish

The top five finalists, Gaurav Khanna, Tejasswi Prakash, Faisal Shaikh, Rajiv Adatia, and Nikki Tamboli have cooked their hearts out to reach this stage. For Gaurav Khanna, this moment is especially emotional. Though his parents couldn’t travel to be there in person, they made sure their love and blessings reached him. In a heartwarming video message, they wished him all the luck in the world and reminded him to give it his all. His mother even made a sweet request to judge Farah Khan, asking her to feed Gaurav some daahi-shakar (sweetened yogurt) for good luck, a beautiful nod to tradition and family love. Gaurav shared, "As an actor, I have never cried on camera, I keep my emotions away.' Sanjeev advice him, "Ab tak shayad emotions se bhag kar yahan tak pohche ho. Aaj se zindagi shuru karo, emotions se jud ke." All the judges came and hugged him and encouraged him.

Gaurav Khanna’s journey on Celebrity MasterChef has been nothing short of inspiring. From being a complete novice with dishes that weren’t even tasted to delivering culinary masterpieces that left judges speechless, his evolution as a chef and a person struck a chord with viewers. The actor brought not only innovation and creativity but also immense humility and emotional depth to the kitchen. As he reaches the finals, here’s a look at nine key moments that defined his unforgettable MasterChef journey.