Gaurav’s journey on the show started on a rocky note. In the very first episode, Farah Khan declared his dish “inedible.” Despite the initial criticism, Gaurav steadily improved and impressed the judges with his creativity in the kitchen. He became known for experimenting with new ingredients and techniques, even earning several “spoon taps” from chef Ranveer Brar.
One of the most notable aspects of his journey was his refusal to let his color blindness affect his performance. Chef Vikas Khanna praised his resilience and said, “You’ve shown immense growth week after week.”
However, the journey wasn’t without controversy. In the final week, Gaurav was accused of copying a Swiss chef’s dessert and presenting it as his own innovation. Though recreating the dish wasn’t an issue, he was criticised for not acknowledging the original source.
The pre-finale episode brought emotional moments for the contestants as family members joined them in the kitchen. While most had their loved ones beside them, Gaurav stood alone. His wife, Akanksha, was caught up with work, and his parents were in Kanpur. The judges arranged a surprise by inviting his long-time friend and actor Hussain Kuwajerwala. Gaurav, moved to tears, said, “Yeh meri family hai. When I came to Mumbai toh Hussein ke ghar pe hi rehta tha, khaata tha.”Hussain replied with a laugh, “Tune mera bahut namak khaya hai. Now it’s your turn to come to my home and cook for us.”Farah Khan also shared, “I had done Indian Idol with him 20 years back and even now he looks the same.”Gaurav Khanna was born on December 11, 1981, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Before becoming an actor, Gaurav worked as a marketing manager in an IT firm for nearly a year.He moved to Mumbai for his MBA and started modeling and doing television commercials to support himself. These early gigs helped him transition into acting. Gaurav Khanna married television actress Akanksha Chamola in 2016, and the pair has been serving as a strong example of relationship goals ever since. He is the son of Vinod Khanna and Shashi Khanna.
Gaurav began his acting career with the TV show Bhabhi. He has since appeared in several popular television serials. In 2011, he hosted the third season of Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan and showcased his dancing skills in shows like Jalwa 4 2 Ka 1 and Dancing Queen.Known for his charming screen presence, Gaurav has carved out a space for himself in the Indian television industry. Following his MasterChef win, Gaurav is rumored to be participating in Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, although no official confirmation has been made.
