India, February 1st 2023: MIT-WPU conducted Pakwaan: The Taste of Indian Heritage—The Lost Recipe Contest at their Department of Hospitality Management in Kothrud, Pune, on Tuesday, January 31^st, 2023. Through this contest, the department aimed to celebrate lost recipes of India, giving an insight into the glorious heritage of the nation as well as travel back in time for a gastronomical experience like never before. Celebrity MasterChef Pankaj Bhadouria was the chief guest and judge of the contest. The event also marked her first appearance as the official brand ambassador for the MIT-WPU Department of Hospitality Management.

The first round of the contest was an online round where 60 participants from all age groups and professions across the city of Pune registered with a picture of their recipe, out of which the panel shortlisted 20 recipes for the second round. For the second round, 20 participants came together on the university campus presenting their dishes that were evaluated by Chefs from 5-star hotels, Chef Akshay Kailas Patekar, Head Chef – One8 Commune, Pune; and Chef Ramesh Kumar Singh, Sous Chef – Sheraton Grand, Pune. The Chefs shortlisted 5 participants for the final round based on taste, the participants’ knowledge of the dish, and the overall presentation of the dish.

The Finale was conducted on 31^st January in the presence of Chef Pankaj Bhadouria and the winner of the contest was Seema Nalawade for the dish Ghawale Bhat and was rewarded with Rs. 10,000 cash while the runner-up was Indira Bumb for the dish Bhato, rewarded with Rs. 5000 cash. The shortlisted recipes will also get a chance to be published in a book.

Responding to her acceptance as the official brand ambassador of MIT-WPU Department of Hospitality Management and being the judge of the Lost Recipe Contest, MasterChef Pankaj Bhadouria said: “Until not very long ago, Hotel and Hospitality Management was not a popular career choice, a scenario that has drastically changed today. MIT-WPU Department of Hospitality Management has been taking long strides to bring this trade to the forefront of celebrated professions among youth, and I am enthusiastic to contribute to this driven approach in every way I can. I look forward to my association with MIT-WPU’s Department of Hospitality Management and wish them all the best.”

 “MastefChef Pankaj Bhadouria is a huge source of inspiration not only in the field of culinary arts but also as an accomplished entrepreneur for youth and adults alike, and we are honoured to have her on board today as the official brand ambassador for the WPU Department of Hospitality. We welcome her to the MIT-WPU family and look forward to great learnings from her!”   

Dr. Shefali Joshi, Director, MIT-WPU Department of Hospitality Management,

Over the years, MIT-WPU has carved a niche on the higher education landscape of India with its liberal ideologies, progressive approach to academic and research excellence, and a curative vision of generational empowerment.

About MIT-WPU

With a rich legacy of 40 years in fostering world-class academic excellence and over 1,00,000+ alumni across the globe, MIT-WPU is one of the premier institutions of higher learning in India that offers over 150 programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and PhD levels. It is also known for its prolific placements and career support provided to the students. Spread over 65 acres, MIT-WPU is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. Over 8,000 students enrol every year for different courses, across the 11+ Schools & 30+ departments of MIT-WPU.

—