Celebrity MasterChef India Episode 41, which aired on 24 March 2025 at 8 PM on Sony TV and streamed on Sony Liv, delivered another action-packed episode filled with thrilling moments and intense culinary battles.
The episode featured the continuation of the Auction Challenge, where the 6 celebrity contestants bid for their choice of dishes and spice mixes while sacrificing their available cooking time.
Auction Challenge: Dishes, Spice Mixes, and Time Limits
The Auction Challenge was a test of strategy and culinary expertise as the celebrity contestants had to bid for their preferred dish and spice mix while keeping an eye on the clock. The higher they bid, the less time they had left to cook, adding a layer of pressure and excitement to the challenge.
Final Bidding Results:
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Tejasswi Prakash: Bid 25 minutes for Nihari (Dish) and Kashmiri Ver (Spice Mix), leaving her with 75 minutes to cook.
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Usha Nadkarni: Secured Chicken Tikka (Dish) and Japanese Shichimi Togarashi (Spice Mix) for 45 minutes, giving her 55 minutes to prepare her dish.
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Rajiv Adatia: Won Rajma Chawal (Dish) and Madras Curry Powder (Spice Mix) with a bid of 35 minutes, leaving him 55 minutes for cooking.
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Archana Gautam: Chose Chole Bathure (Dish) with Advieh (Spice Mix) after bidding 30 minutes, allowing her 90 minutes to cook.
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Nikki Tamboli: Took a bold step by bidding 20 minutes for Butter Chicken (Dish) and Berbere (Spice Mix), leaving her with 70 minutes to complete her dish.
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Gaurav Khanna: Chose not to bid, which granted him an advantage by giving him 120 minutes to prepare Bedami Puri and Aloo Sabji (Dish) with Jeeravan Masala (Spice Mix).
Pantry Rush: Gathering Ingredients for the Challenge
After the bidding was finalized, the contestants were given 5 additional minutes to rush to the pantry and collect the necessary ingredients for their dishes. This short window added an extra layer of urgency, especially for those with limited cooking time.
Dishes Prepared by Celebrity Contestants
Once the ingredients were collected, the contestants got to work, with Gaurav Khanna having the advantage of the longest cooking duration. Here’s a look at the dishes prepared by all 6 contestants:
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Nikki Tamboli: Prepared Butter Chicken Ball with Berbere spice, adding a unique twist to a classic dish.
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Gaurav Khanna: Cooked Bedami Puri and Potato Fondant using Jeeravan Masala, blending traditional flavors with modern presentation.
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Usha Nadkarni: Presented Chicken Tikka with Japanese Shichimi Togarashi, infusing bold and vibrant flavors into the dish.
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Archana Gautam: Created Chola Singhasan, an innovative twist on Chole Bathure paired with the aromatic Advieh spice mix.
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Rajiv Adatia: Crafted a comforting plate of Rajma Chawal with a flavorful Madras Curry Powder.
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Tejasswi Prakash: Delivered a creatively named dish, Nalli Nihari Mei Hai Ver, Banane Mei Hogayi Der, blending the rich Kashmiri Ver with a perfectly cooked Nihari.
Judging Time: Three Judges, One Best Dish
As the cooking time ended, the contestants presented their dishes one by one to the esteemed judges:
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Chef Ranveer Brar
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Farah Khan
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Chef Kunal Kapur
The judges evaluated the dishes based on:
✅ Flavor Balance
✅ Presentation
✅ Use of Assigned Spice Mix
✅ Time Management and Creativity
Best Dish Announcement: Nikki Tamboli Shines!
After intense deliberation, the judges unanimously declared Nikki Tamboli as the Best Dish Winner of the Auction Challenge. Her Butter Chicken Ball impressed the judges with its perfect blend of flavors, innovative presentation, and the seamless incorporation of the Berbere spice mix.
🏆 Reward for Nikki Tamboli:
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Black Apron No More: Nikki successfully shed her Black Apron and earned her place on the Balcony with the White Apron, signifying her safety for the rest of the week during the Redemption Week.
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Joins Faisal Shaikh: Nikki joined Faisal Shaikh on the Balcony, celebrating her hard-earned success.
Final Standings After Episode 41
🎯 White Apron Holders (Safe for the Week):
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Faisal Shaikh
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Nikki Tamboli
⚫ Remaining Contestants (Still in Danger):
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Tejasswi Prakash
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Usha Nadkarni
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Rajiv Adatia
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Archana Gautam
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Gaurav Khanna
Final Thoughts: Redemption Achieved and New Challenges Await!
Celebrity MasterChef India Episode 41 was a rollercoaster of strategy, skill, and surprises. With Nikki Tamboli delivering a standout performance and securing her spot on the Balcony, the remaining contestants are now under immense pressure to prove their worth in the coming episodes.
As the journey progresses, fans can expect more twists, intense cook-offs, and culinary masterpieces. Don’t miss the next episode to see who rises to the occasion and who faces the heat in the kitchen!