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From air hostess to Masterchef finalist, Akanksha Khatri has come a long way.
Winner of India's Digital Chef, finalist of the show Femme Foodies and the most loved contestant of Masterchef India Season 6, Chef Akanksha Khatri was a born foodie. But, her love for cooking started a little later in life.
Born and brought up in a small town Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, Akanksha had dreams to soar high in the sky. She was never really interested in studying or academics, but belonging to a middle-class family did not offer her many options than take up a paying job and help the family. And as destiny would have it, her father suffered huge losses in business, which led to Akanksha moving to Oman at the age of 21. She took the job of Premium Galley Crew with Oman Air and started jet setting through the world. As an air hostess, she got to travel across a variety of places and cultures, which heightened her sense of culinary appreciation.
Cooking for her started just as a means to an end. But, the food experiences she gathered on her travels to different cities led her to experimenting with her own creations. These trial and error experimentations with food led her to know what her true passion is. She left a high paying job to pursue her passion for cooking. Not only the job paid very well but it awarded her in working for the famous personalities of India, and she has flown and served all of them, from famous actors like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, to politicians Mr Rajnath Singh, Mr Nitin Gadkari to name a few. Such was her passion, that she left everything behind and never looked back.
With minimal savings for support, she started her journey in the culinary world. During the initial phase it was difficult for her to establish even a foothold in the industry, so she took up small freelancing projects like catering at dinner parties, special functions and other group events for celebrities like Raveena Tandon, Kiran Rao and others. During one of these events an Oman based restaurateur was impressed with the menu Akanksha had presented and hired her to create and plan menu for his upcoming restaurant. She has also consulted a number of upcoming restaurants in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities.
Not restraining herself any longer, Akanksha participated in cooking show Femme Foodies to earn a name for herself, but could not win. She was not one to back down from a disappointment, so she participated in another contest India's Digital Chef and won the title of India's First ever Digital Chef.
Her integrity and grace shine like a beacon, which made her very popular and extremely well loved by the viewers. Hence, Emami Agrotech Ltd. did not waste time in snatching her up for their latest season of Pickles of India Season, 2019. Akanksha hosted this 29 episode season and gained even more love, support and popularity than before.
Encouraged with the new earned popularity, her parents' support and passion to do something, she decided to enter in India's most reputable culinary show MasterChef India and make a name for herself nationwide. She may not have won the title, but she won the hearts of the people from all over the country and it's safe to say many of the world as well. Two of her creations in the Masterchef Kitchen will now grace the Grand Dish wall forever in the history of MasterChef.
The grace and dedication with which she mastered various challenges during the competition, showcased her capabilities in cooking, as well as leading a team in the kitchen. The artistically unique creations showed her flair for detailed observations and knowledge of techniques to create masterpieces. Ultimately making her not only the first contestant amongst the top 10 for the show, but also the first to win the Golden Apron, confirming her position in the Finale as well.
Chef Akanksha Khatri wants to leave her mark on the food industry, and prove that self motivation can also lead to fulfilling the dreams you are passionate about. She is at her best when she's in a busy kitchen, the most satisfied when she sees the smiling faces of her diners. With a sunny smile and lovely personality, Chef Akanksha Khatri is geared up to express all her passion through her cooking!
