Moong Dal Creations Shine in Semi-Finals
Five of Eight Contestants Advance; One Wild Card Entry Joins the Finale
Grand Finale on December 14 at The Rudraksh Hotel, Chhatarpur
Chhatarpur: Flavours, tradition, and creativity blended seamlessly as Bundeli Chef Season 3 reached its electrifying semi-final round. Organised by Bundelkhand 24×7, the competition is becoming tougher and more exciting with each stage—setting the stage perfectly for a grand showdown on December 14 at The Rudraksh Hotel, Chhatarpur, where Bundeli cuisine will take centre stage like never before.
This semi-final round posed a single but challenging task for the contestants: prepare two dishes using moong dal as the core ingredient, showcasing both Bundeli authenticity and personal innovation. The kitchens buzzed with reinvention—some plates reflected pure tradition, others carried a modern twist; some dishes were rooted in earthy sweetness, others offered striking fusion.
After a rigorous tasting session, five contestants—Vibha Agnihotri, Swapnil Modi, Rashmi Thakur, Sajida Aamir, and Nancy Shivhare—secured their places in the grand finale. Adding to the thrill, Ranu Jha earned a wild card entry for her consistent performance across previous rounds, taking the total count of finalists to six.
The online judging panel comprised Shamita Singh (Season 1 winner), Zaheeda Parveen (Season 2 winner) and Meghana Sharma, who brings nearly 20 years of hospitality experience. Each dish was evaluated on taste, presentation, and creative use of moong dal.
Bundelkhand 24×7 Channel Head Asif Patel praised the contestants, saying, “With every round, the participants’ hard work and culinary skills shine even brighter. Moong dal is a healthy ingredient, and watching such innovative dishes emerge from it was truly commendable. The finale will be intense and, without doubt, the most memorable moment of the season. My best wishes to all participants.”
The semi-final saw a stunning variety of dishes:
- Swapnil Modi impressed with moong dal samosa and moong dal gajak, infusing Indian flavours with creativity.
- Vibha Agnihotri focused on health with sugar-free moong dal laddoo and moong dal-methi vadi.
- Hema Gupta presented visually striking moong dal rasbhari and Moong Dal Magic Flowers.
- Rashmi Thakur offered a delightful blend of tradition and modernity with chandrakala and moong dal chocolate.
- Ruchi Jain added her own twist with samosi and hari moong pak.
- Nancy Shivhare experimented boldly with nachos and Bundeli kurkure.
- Reena Sachan prepared moong papdi and moong laddoo.
- Sajida Aamir showcased Banaras ki magdal and methi-moong dal kashta, winning appreciation for finesse.
The event is supported by Rudrani Kalagram and several esteemed partners including PR 24×7 (PR Partner), Affy Sports (Trophy Partner), Beauty Art by Riya (Makeup Partner) and gifting partners Taruka Eco, Divine Decor & Gift Gallery, Bundelkhands Famous. The venue partner is The Rudraksh Hotel, while 2030 Ka Bharat is associated as the social partner.
With six strong contenders ready to battle for the culinary crown, all eyes in Bundelkhand are now on the Grand Finale. Bundeli Chef Season 3 has once again proven itself to be more than a competition—it’s a celebration of dedication, tradition, creativity, and self-reliance. As new flavours and stories continue to emerge, the region eagerly awaits the moment when the title of Bundeli’s top culinary artist is finally unveiled.
