Pankaj Bhadouria is the winner of MasterChef IndiaSeason 1. She was a school teacher who quit a 16-year-old job to participate in the first season of MasterChef India. She has hosted the TV shows Chef Pankaj Ka Zayka, Kifayati Kitchen, 3 Course with Pankaj, Rasoi se- Pankaj Bhadouria ke Saath, Sales Ka Baazigar. She was the first MasterChef Winner worldwide to have an official MasterChef Cookbook in her name and has written two more cookery books Barbie- I am a Chef, and Chicken from my Kitchen
Early life
Born on 14 July 1971 in New Delhi to Vinod Khanna and Priya Khanna, Pankaj is the elder of their two children with one younger brother. She lost her father at the age of 13 years and her mother when she was 22. She did her schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, New Delhi and finished her higher education in Lucknow. She did her bachelor's degree in English, master's degree in English literature from Lucknow University, and then she also did her bachelor's degree in education from Lucknow University to prepare herself for her chosen career. She is married to Charu Samarth and has two children, a daughter, Sonalika Bhadouria and a son, Siddhant Bhadouria.
Television
MasterChef India Season 1 -Star Plus
Chef Pankaj Ka Zayka - Star Plus
Rick Stein's India, Episode 6 -BBC2, TLC, Discovery
Pankaj started her culinary academy in Lucknow on 16 August 2012. It offers Professional Courses and Certificate Courses for amateur chefs. As she was a teacher before MasterChef, this academy is a success.
Endorsements
Pankaj's passion for cooking has made her a personality of choice for many a brand. Pankaj is a part of Microsoft Lumia 535 Digital Campaign where along with Kangana Ranaut and Saina Nehwal, she encourages people to follow their dreams in an inspiring film titled "Ashaiyen" Pankaj is also the face of the Brand Knorr- Cup a soup, Soups and Noodles and has shot an extensive TV Campaign and Print Campaigns for Knorr. She is also the Brand Ambassador for MasterChef Travels Cox and Kings Worldwide. She also endorsed Eastern Masalas, a leading Spice Brand in Southern India. She was also the face of Taaza Tea, HUL, activity- Huunar Apka, Pehchaan Hamaari, an effort to recognise the hidden talents in women from small towns in Uttar Pradesh. Pankaj Bhadouria is chosen by the Spanish Government as an Ambassador for the promotion of Olive Oil in India for the campaign called Olive Oil Revolution. Her other Brand Associations include Samsung Smart Oven, Kent Juicer & Pasta Maker, Sensodyne, Reliance Fresh, Kelloggs and Tefal.
Awards and recognition
MasterChef India Winner
Featured in the list of: 9 People Who Made It Big After Participating In Reality Shows -by Indiatimes
Rated as one of the few TV Chefs with a great deal of integrity for her thoughtful and meticulous recipes on TV shows - Indian Express
Created Lucknow’s Largest Community Kitchen for the Under Privileged Children on 14 August 2016 at the Pankaj Bhadouria Culinary Academy, Lucknow. The event was created in association with the Child’s Right Commission, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh.
