Junior MasterChef India: Swaad Ke Ustaad aired for just one season on StarPlus in 2013 and was never renewed for a second run. It remains, however, one of the most emotionally memorable entries in the MasterChef India franchise. Here’s everything confirmed about its only champion, contestants, and judges.
Junior MasterChef India: Swaad Ke Ustaad — Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Network | StarPlus |
| Premiere | 17 August 2013 |
| Finale | 2 November 2013 |
| Episodes | 22 |
| Age Range | 9 to 12 years old |
| Contestants | 10 |
| Production Location | Mumbai |
| Prize Money | ₹25 lakh (US$26,000) |
| Winner | Sarthak Bhardwaj |
| Runner-up | Shravankumar |
| Host | Ripudaman Handa (MasterChef India Season 3 winner) |
| Judges | Vikas Khanna, Kunal Kapur, Chef Jolly |
Who Won Junior MasterChef India: Swaad Ke Ustaad?
Sarthak Bhardwaj, an 11-year-old from Dehradun, was crowned India’s first-ever Junior MasterChef champion on 2 November 2013, defeating runner-up Shravankumar, a 9-year-old from Udupi, in the grand finale.
Sarthak’s victory became one of the most heartwarming stories in the entire MasterChef India franchise. He came from a modest background — his mother ran a small stall serving noodles and soup to students in Dehradun to support the family. His talent and dedication in the kitchen won over audiences and judges alike, with Chef Vikas Khanna affectionately nicknaming him “Kanhaiya” for his popularity among fellow young contestants. Sarthak dreamed of one day opening his own restaurant to support his mother and brother — a goal his win brought significantly closer to reality.
Full Contestant List & Final Standings
| Place | Contestant | Age | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Sarthak Bhardwaj | 11 | Dehradun |
| 🥈 2nd | Shravankumar | 9 | Udupi |
| 3rd | Emanuel Chauhan | 9 | Khargarh |
| 4th | Gurga Singh | 10 | Lucknow |
| 5th | Harshika Doshi | 11 | Kolkata |
| 6th | Pammi Kaur | 12 | Dhar |
| 7th | Roshan Shaw | 11 | Mumbai |
| 8th | Sanya Raheja | 11 | New Delhi |
| 9th | Rakshana Hari | 10 | New Delhi |
| 10th | Soham Raje | 12 | Mumbai |
Judges & Host
- Vikas Khanna — the most consistent judge across the entire MasterChef India franchise
- Kunal Kapur — celebrity chef, also a regular MasterChef India judge
- Chef Jolly (Surjan Singh Jolly) — rounding out the judging trio
Ripudaman Handa, the winner of MasterChef India Season 3, hosted this junior edition — a nice full-circle touch, bringing a previous champion back to guide the next generation of young cooks.
How the Competition Worked
Ten contestants aged 9 to 12 were selected to compete, with the audition process kicking off right as the adult MasterChef India Season 3 concluded. Throughout the season’s 22 episodes, the young cooks faced weekly challenges judged on taste, creativity and technique. As a celebratory milestone, the Top 10 finalists were also taken on a special outing to Adlabs Imagica, one of India’s largest theme parks.
A fun celebrity moment during the season saw comedian Bharti Singh cook for the children and even get a playful taste-test from judge Vikas Khanna, adding a lighthearted touch to the otherwise intense competition.
FAQs
How many seasons of Junior MasterChef India have aired? Just one — it aired from August to November 2013 and was never renewed.
Who won Junior MasterChef India: Swaad Ke Ustaad? Sarthak Bhardwaj, an 11-year-old from Dehradun, won the only season.
How much prize money did Sarthak Bhardwaj receive? ₹25 lakh (approximately US$26,000).
Who hosted and judged the show? Ripudaman Handa (Season 3 MasterChef India winner) hosted, with judges Vikas Khanna, Kunal Kapur, and Chef Jolly.
Is there a Junior MasterChef India Season 2? No official second season has been produced to date.