Chhatarpur: After celebrating Bundeli women’s culinary skills and confidence for over two months, Bundeli Chef Season 3 concluded with a grand finale on Sunday at The Rudraksh Hotel, Chhatarpur. Organised by Bundelkhand 24×7, the finale brought together taste, talent and passion, once again giving the entire region a reason to take pride in its rich culinary heritage.
Emerging victorious after a tough competition, Sajida Ameer from Jhansi impressed the judges with her authentic and flavourful Bundeli dishes to win the Season 3 title. Nancy Shivhare from Panna, currently based in Bengaluru, secured the first runner-up position, while Vibha Agnihotri from Chhatarpur was declared the second runner-up.
The grand finale featured six finalists—Vibha Agnihotri, Swapnil Modi, Rashmi Thakur, Sajida Ameer, Nancy Shivhare, and wild card entrant Ranu Jha—who showcased their culinary excellence. While the top three winners received attractive prizes, the remaining finalists were honoured with consolation awards in recognition of their efforts and talent.
The event was graced by Chhatarpur MLA Lalita Yadav as the chief guest. Congratulating all participants, she said such initiatives not only provide recognition to local women but also help take Bundelkhand’s culture, traditions and cuisine to a national platform. She added that the confidence with which Bundeli women are moving forward is truly inspiring for the entire region.
The judging panel comprised Shamita Singh, winner of Bundeli Chef Season 1, and Zahida Parveen, winner of Season 2. Both judges closely evaluated each dish from auditions to the finale, giving special attention to how strongly the essence of Bundelkhand was reflected in the food.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Atul Malikram, Founder of Bundelkhand 24×7, said that Bundeli Chef was envisioned not just as a show, but as a platform to give Bundelkhand’s women the respect and recognition their talent deserves. “Season 3 has proved that Bundelkhand’s kitchen has the power to attract the entire country. The dedication of the entire team made this season a grand success,” he said.
Asif Patel, Channel Head of Bundelkhand 24×7, expressed happiness over the show’s growing popularity, stating that Bundeli Chef has now become an identity of Bundelkhand. With every season, the platform continues to celebrate women power, tradition and culinary excellence on a larger scale.
Host Shivangi Tiwari shared that the show has deeply connected with people’s emotions. “When participants present dishes carrying the taste of their mother’s hands and the fragrance of the soil, the entire Bundelkhand smiles,” she said.
Overwhelmed after her victory, Sajida Ameer said, “This win is not just mine—it belongs to my kitchen, my traditions and every Bundeli woman who wants to take her talent to the world. Bundeli Chef has taught us to take pride in our identity.” She further revealed her dream of opening an Indian restaurant in Singapore, aiming to showcase Indian and Bundeli flavours on a global stage.
Judge Shamita Singh remarked that every dish reflected not just flavour but also the personal story of the contestant, making the judging process extremely challenging. Zahida Parveen added that Bundeli Chef has now grown beyond a competition into a movement that is carrying Bundelkhand’s culinary culture to the next generation.
The organisers honoured all contributors with awards, mementos and certificates, acknowledging their dedication and love for Bundeli cuisine. Participants shared that reaching this platform itself was a major achievement.
The success of the event was supported by Rudrani Kalagram, with PR 24×7 as the PR partner, Affi Sports as trophy partner, Taruka Eco, Divine Decor & Gift Gallery, and Bundelkhand’s famous gifting partners. The venue partner was The Rudraksh Hotel, while ‘Bharat of 2030’ served as the social partner.
The grand finale concluded with the announcement that the upcoming season promises to be even more impactful for Bundeli cuisine. Bundeli Chef Season 3 reaffirmed that this platform is not just about winning, but about belonging, tradition and taste—celebrating the strength of Bundelkhand’s women and the soul of its soil.
