Conosh, the visionary organiser behind numerous successful food pop-up events across major Indian cities, announced the successful conclusion of the Ultimate Homechef of India, powered by Hafele. Continuing their mission to connect strangers through the love of food, Conosh elevated this unique culinary competition to new heights, celebrating the diverse and exceptional talents of home chefs from every corner of the country.
The Ultimate Homechef of India, powered by Hafele, provided a significant platform for home chefs from 20 cities across India to showcase their prowess and gain national recognition. The competition was organised in two phases: at the city and national levels. The Conosh team travelled to numerous cities across the country, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Gurugram, Guwahati, Chandigarh, Indore, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Nagpur, Noida, Pune, and Shillong, to shortlist the 20 culinary gems that would proceed to the next stage of the competition. As the prime sponsor, Hafele was pivotal to the competition’s success, providing participants at the national level with state-of-the-art appliances and ensuring they had the finest tools to craft their culinary masterpieces. The home chefs utilised a range of high-quality appliances, including the Diamond Orb 77L Oven, Diamond 34MWO Microwave, Bella 30 Hob, Noil Air Fryer 6.3L, Chromatic Hand Blender, Klara Pro Touch, and the Grilla Sandwich Griller. These advanced appliances ensured each participant had the optimal resources to showcase their culinary skills.
Contestants were tasked with creating a dish in one hour using a set of five secret ingredients. They received invaluable support and expert guidance from the dream team of gastronomy—Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston, and George Calombaris, the iconic judges of MasterChef Australia—who passionately mentored them through the thrilling culinary challenge.
The prestigious title of ‘Ultimate Homechef of India’ was awarded to Dr Kanupriya Middha, a dental surgeon from Indore who impressed the judges with her exceptional culinary skills and innovative dishes. Dr Kanupriya’s journey into cooking began during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a doctor living alone, she started cooking to unwind after her duties. Her passion for cooking grew during this time, leading her to excel in the competition. She won a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and home appliances from Hafele. The first runner-up was Nishant Chajjar, who won Rs 2 lakh and a Hafele U-Kaffee Coffee Machine, and the second runner-up was Adonijah Lyngdoh, who won Rs 1 lakh and a Hafele Grilla Sandwich Griller.
Neha Malik and Vaibhav Bahl, Co-Founders of Conosh, remarked, “We are thrilled to announce the success of the Ultimate Homechef of India competition. Our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsor, Hafele, and all stakeholders whose unwavering support made this journey a triumph. We are committed to providing home chefs with a universal platform and promoting regional Indian cuisines. With great joy, we congratulate Dr Kanupriya Middha, the brilliant home chef who clinched the grand prize. A sincere thanks goes out to all the participants who joined this adventure across the country and created something truly special with Conosh—a celebration of Indian culinary excellence. We are now geared up with double the excitement for Ultimate Homechef of India 2025.”
Balakrishnan Pillai, Business Head of Appliances at Hafele, felicitated the winners and runner-ups during the grand finale. “We are honoured to be part of the Ultimate Homechef of India Competition, witnessing the extraordinary talent showcased throughout. Our appliances, backed by 20 years of experience in India, combine German engineering with designs that cater to Indian culinary techniques, making them perfect for the diverse and intensive demands of Indian kitchens.”
The grand finale of the Ultimate Homechef of India was telecast on June 22, 2024, on NatGeo. This extraordinary challenge celebrated the remarkable culinary talents of home chefs from 20 cities across the nation, providing a significant platform for them to gain recognition and showcase their talents on a national stage.
