...
...
Next Story

The Home Chef Revolution: Slurrp Great Indian Cookout Closes Season 4 In Delhi

Updated on: Nov 28, 2025, 12:28:44 IST
The contest spanned across four cities with this season's theme being 'Gully to Gourmet'. (Sourced)
The contest spanned across four cities with this season's theme being 'Gully to Gourmet'. (Sourced)
Advertisement

Four cities, four champions, and 9,000 dreams, Slurrp GIC 4.0 celebrates the nation's culinary talent.

India's most heartwarming home chef competition has wrapped up its fourth season with a triumphant four-city tour that reimagined street food as gourmet art. Slurrp Great Indian Cookout 4.0, presented by USHA and co-presented by Aashirvaad, with Associate Partner Foodies Only and Streaming Partner OTTplay, brought the 'Gully to Gourmet' theme to life across Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Delhi throughout November 2025.

From a staggering 9,000 online entries, just three exceptional home chefs competed in each city. In unique challenges, they showcased their ability to elevate beloved street flavours through sophisticated culinary techniques for judge-in-chief Neha Deepak Shah, who toured all 4 cities, plus a line-up of top chefs who stepped in to help choose the winners. "What an incredible experience being the Judge-in-Chief at The Great Indian Cookout 2025! From the sizzling creativity to the sheer passion each participant brought to their dish, it was pure joy to witness India’s diverse flavours come alive. Every plate told a story of home, of heritage, of heart. Feeling inspired, grateful, and so proud to be part of a platform that celebrates food, talent, and the spirit of community," said Chef Neha, speaking on her experience. The competition proved that innovation doesn't mean abandoning tradition but honouring it in new ways.

Mumbai: Where It All Began

On 8th November, The Villa at Mandeville in Ballygunge witnessed Mithu Saha claim the title with her Sweet Potato Papdi Chaat and Soya Thecha made with the ingredients Chef Neha Deepak Shah used to create soya and mushroom galouti kebabs in her workshop. Her healthier reinterpretation of Kolkata's famous alukabli captured the street food essence whilst adding nutritional value through sweet potato and soya thecha. Chefs Shaun Kenworthy and Doma Wang, the Momo Queen of Kolkata, brought their expertise to the stage, with Chef Shaun's Spiced Chocolate Pudding in Paturi Style demonstrating how regional techniques can transform global ingredients.

Bengaluru: Innovation Takes Centre Stage

The Phoenix Mall of Asia hosted the third chapter on 16th November, where Chef Neha’s Rava Mushroom Pongal Risotto inspired Himanshi Bhardwaj to make Rava Tortilla with Mushroom Chhole, securing her victory. Remarkably, this was her first time cooking with mushrooms. Culinary anthropologist, Chef Shri Bala and Chef Kalyan Gopalakrishna showcased lesser-known regional cuisines, including Naati fare and multigrain kadubu, emphasising the importance of preserving authentic street food without compromising health.

Delhi: The Grand Finale

The tour concluded on 22nd November at Radisson Hotel Delhi MG Road with Neha Gupta emerging as the final champion with a take on Dilli-favourite momos in a kadhi-inspired sauce made with besan that was a creative twist on the kadhi chawal khowsuey Chef Neha had created in her session. The capital edition featured masterclasses from Chef Anahita Dhondy with her Methi Mathri Chaat and Chef Nishant Choubey's Sweet Potato Chaat with Gochujang, perfectly embodying the city’s vibrant street food culture with refined presentations.

The Essence Of Slurrp GIC

Beyond the competition, the event series created a platform for culinary dreams to become reality. Each city witnessed interactive demonstrations of the wide range of innovative USHA products, with Sriram Sundaresan, President - Appliances of USHA, emphasising the company's commitment to blending technology with tradition. Meanwhile, Anuj Rustagi, BU Chief Executive Staples, Foods Division, ITC Ltd., highlighted their pride in supporting home chefs' creativity with quality ingredients. Associate partner Foodies Only lived up to their motto, 'Come for the food, stay for the community', through engaging games and challenges, while many attendees left with commemorative embossed wooden spice boxes.

What made Slurrp Great Indian Cookout special wasn't merely the competition, it was the celebration of India's culinary heritage and the talented home cooks who keep traditional flavours alive whilst pushing boundaries. As Avinash Mudaliar, Co-Founder and CEO of HT Labs, reflected, "GIC is more than a contest; it's a celebration of India's home-chef revolution."

The four champions, Shobha Halkati (Mumbai), Mithu Saha (Kolkata), Himanshi Bhardwaj (Bengaluru), and Neha Gupta (Delhi), represent the thousands of home chefs across India who dared to dream. Their journey from anonymous entries to city winners proves that the future of Indian cuisine is simmering in home kitchens nationwide and will soon be streaming on OTTplay for you to follow their journey further.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soumili Ray

Soumili Ray is a journalist at the Hindustan Times covering national and international affairs. An alumnus of the Asian College of Journalism(ACJ), Soumili holds keen interest in covering national news emphasizing on politics and crime. Outside work, you will find her engrossed in fiction, true crime series, or even better, dancing to her favorite Kathak taals.

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON