MasterChef India winner Pankaj Bhadouria undergoes surgery post breast cancer diagnosis; says 'I know I will bounce back'

MasterChef India season 1 winner Pankaj Bhadouria, who recently revealed about being diagnosed with breast cancer, has now shared a health update. The renowned chef took to her social media account to inform her followers that she was heading for a surgery.

On Friday (May 29), Pankaj shared videos on her Instagram stories, thanking her fans for their unwavering love and support post she revealed about her breast cancer diagnosis on Thursday.

She said, “Thank you so much for all the love and support that you have showered on me. Today I am going for surgery and I know I will bounce back. So, once again keep me in your prayers."

On May 28, Pankaj shared a picture of herself from the hospital on her social media handle where she can be seen lying on a hospital bed dressed in a patient gown with medical wires attached to her.

Sharing the post on her Instagram handle, she wrote, “I have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Need your prayers and support folded hands emoji.”

There was another video in which Pankaj spoke about her diagnosis and gave an update on her current health condition. She said, “I just wanted to share with you all that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Since all of you are like an extended family to me, I wanted to share this with you personally. Right now, I truly need your prayers and support. As they say, prayers work miracles. So please keep me in your prayers."

Pankaj Bhadouria shot to popularity after winning the first season of ‘MasterChef India’ in 2010. The first season of the was hosted by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and Pankaj became the country’s first-ever MasterChef winner.

For the uninitiated, Pankaj worked as an English teacher in Lucknow and quit her 16-year-long teaching career to participate in the cooking reality show. Although she was working as a teacher, cooking had always been her true passion. In 2010, she decided to audition for MasterChef India and became the show's first winner. Winning MasterChef Indian season 1, completely changed Pankaj's career and made her a popular face across the country.

After winning the first season of MasterChef India, the celebrity chef hosted cooking-based shows like Chef Pankaj Ka Zayka, Kifayati Kitchen, 3 Course with Pankaj, and Rasoi Se - Pankaj Bhadouria Ke Saath.