Battle of the Home Bakers – Celebrating passion and love for baking
Over 5000 enthusiastic home bakers across India beat, whipped and whisked to baked creativity, enthusiasm and passion at IIHMs The Great Indian Home Bakers Showdown – Battle of the Home Bakers Showdown culminating in a final cook off among five grand finalists, participating in one of the country’s largest and most inclusive home baking competitions.
There was one winner, chosen on December 17, but countless champions. The results were officially announced during an online ceremony hosted by the IIHM Institute of Pastry and Culinary (IIPC), in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs, UK.
A Pan-India Competition That Started in Home Kitchens
The planning and the event itself, was spread across several months to awaken the inner home baker among most of them. The thrill of competing and getting recognition for home learned and practiced skills literally bought 5000 home bakers to the table. From seasoned home bakers to passionate first-timers, participants submitted their creations online, bringing together flavours, techniques, and stories from every corner of India.
The Great Indian Home Bakers Showdown was a win-win for the organisers and participants as it was designed to find, recognise, and celebrate baking talent in homes across the country.
“This is the first-ever pan-India home bakers’ competition, and an amazing 5,000 plus people participated. Our goal is to unearth talent sitting in different corners of the country and help make them successful,” — Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman & CEO, IIHM Worldwide
The response proved one thing clearly – home baking in India is no longer just a hobby. It’s a growing movement.
The competition unfolded over multiple stages, starting with online submissions and gradually narrowing down to the Top 10 and Top 5 finalists, who then competed at IIPC campuses under timed challenges and mystery-box conditions.
Chef Ria Arora, Center Head, IIPC Bengaluru, shared:
“Selecting the finalists was not easy at all. The mystery-box challenge tested creativity, technique, and presentation. Reaching the finals itself was a huge achievement.”
Each finalist showcased not just skill, but also a deep love for baking.
Online Winner Announcement: A Proud Moment
The final winner announcement was held online yesterday, bringing together participants, chefs, directors, and supporters from across the country.
Announcing the winners, Dr Suborno Bose said:
“Winning is just about one great day, but participation is what makes this competition beautiful. Everyone who took part is a winner.”
The Winners of The Great Indian Home Bakers Showdown
Winner: Mayuri Maragathavel – Pune
1st Runner-up: Aarzoo Sayed – Jaipur
2nd Runner-up: Ravinder Kaur – Delhi
Congratulations were also extended to the Top 5 and Top 10 bakers, whose talent truly stood out among thousands.
Pune Felicitates Its Champion
Following the announcement, Mayuri Maragathavel, the winner from Pune, was felicitated at the IIPC Pune campus by IIHM Pune Director Mr. Rupinder Khurana and Associate Director Ms. Sangeeta Bhattacharjee. She received the winner’s trophy, certificates, prize money cheque, a special hamper, and a dinner voucher supported by Pride Hotels.
Rupinder Khurana, Director – IIPC Pune, said:
“Coming out on top from more than 5,000 home bakers is an incredible achievement. We are extremely proud of Mayuri and excited to see her take this passion forward.”
“This Was Completely Unexpected” – Mayuri
Sharing her emotions, Battle of the Home Bakers winner Mayuri Maragathavel said:
“This is a huge moment for me and totally unexpected. I’m really thankful to everyone who supported me – my chefs, my parents, and the entire team. This competition gave us all a great opportunity.”
Judges Speak: Learning Never Stops
Chef Gary Goldsmith, Chocolatier and Award-Winning Internationally Renowned Pastry Chef, reflected:
“Competitions like this inspire people to keep learning. Even if you didn’t win this time, take the feedback, ask questions, and come back stronger.”
Chef Sanjay Kak, Culinary Director, IIHM Worldwide, added:
“Baking is art and science. With 5,000 participants, choosing the top three was extremely tough. The level we saw was impressive.”
Beyond Winning: Growing with IIPC
The showdown also opened doors for participants to further develop their skills through IIPC’s academies and campuses.
Sanchari Chowdhury, Director – IIHM Bengaluru, shared:
“Home baking is special. Some do it for joy, some turn it into a business. IIPC is here to help them hone their skills and grow further.”
More Than a Competition
The Great Indian Home Bakers Showdown is not just about trophies. It is about bringing talent to the forefront, building confidence, and celebrating the joy of baking.
With thousands of participants and an overwhelming response, this is just the beginning of a movement that will continue to inspire India’s home bakers to dream bigger and bake better.Congratulations to everyone who participated – because stepping forward is already a win.
