Five Home Chefs Advance to Free Press Super Cook Finale on June 6

The Free Press Super Cook Culinary Contest has reached its final stages after an intense semi-final round. Sixteen home chefs competed, with five securing their spots in the grand finale. The event, set for June 6 at Hotel Jardin, will feature prizes worth Rs 2 lakh, including appliances like air conditioners and grinders. The semi-final took place under the watchful eyes of a distinguished panel. Judges included Chef Shekhar Solanki, Rekha Pandit, Darshan Singh, Preeti Aiyar, and Sandhya Mirchandani. Their task was to evaluate creativity, technique, and flavour in each dish.

Five contestants stood out and advanced to the finale: Sameer Karambelkar, Shilpa Kothari, Usha Dubey, Payal Verma, and Garvita Jain. However, Jain later withdrew due to prior commitments. A lucky draw selected Saloni Korde to take her place. Among the standout dishes, Sameer Karambelkar’s millet-based creations caught attention for blending tradition with innovation. Shilpa Kothari wowed the judges with her Ragi Cake Cendol and Baked Suji Ragi Handvo, praised for both originality and execution. Usha Dubey’s Cannoli with Rabdi Mousse and Millet M lange also impressed, merging Italian techniques with Indian flavours. The grand finale will begin at 4:30 pm on June 6. All 16 semi-finalists will receive special hampers from the contest’s sponsors during the event.

The winner will take home top prizes, including high-value kitchen appliances. The contest highlights the skill and creativity of home chefs, with the finale promising a showcase of culinary talent. Judges and participants alike will gather at Hotel Jardin to celebrate the results.