Punjab State Finale of “Kahin Gumm Na Ho Jayein – Season 9” Concludes Successfully at CT University

Ludhiana, September 1, 2026: The Punjab State Level Contest of “Kahin Gumm Na Ho Jayein – Season 9” culminated in a vibrant and memorable finale at CT University, Ludhiana, on Tuesday. The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation from a total of 35 contestants.
Zainab was declared the Punjab State Winner, followed by Pooja Nagpal as the 1st Runner-Up and Ponam Makkar 2nd runner up.
The occasion was graced by Himanshu Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, as the Guest of Honour. His esteemed presence added distinction to the event and served as an encouragement to all the participating contestants.
Organized by Let’s Give Back, a registered NGO, this unique national cookery contest aims to revive and promote traditional Indian recipes while showcasing India’s rich and diverse culinary heritage. The initiative was founded by the late Babeetta Saxena in 2016 and continues to thrive under the guidance of Co-Founder Col. Atul Saxena, following her passing on May 16, 2021.
This season’s theme, “My State, My Plate,” highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating regional culinary traditions across India. It is a matter of pride for the organization to have the support of Padma Shri Awardee Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Chef Ranveer Brar and Chef Vikas Khanna also   renowned Bollywood actress Suchitra Pillai.
The national contest is being conducted 25+ locations across India and overseas at Canada, New Zealand and USA. The top two winners from Punjab will represent the state at the Grand Finale in NCR, with a total prize pool of ₹1,50,000 for the top three national winners.
The organizers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to CT University, Ludhiana, for hosting the prestigious Punjab State Finale, and to Chef. Vishavdeep Bali and Col.Atul Saxenna for their valuable contribution as a jury member.
The successful execution of the Punjab State Round was led by State Coordinator Muskan Jain and Priyanka Jain, under the guidance of Co-Founder Retd. Col. Atul Saxena. The organizers also extended their sincere appreciation to Reena Mukherjee, Chief Coordinator of the National Event, for her overall leadership and guidance.
The Punjab State Finale is part of the national initiative guided by the principles and guidelines of the “Kahin Gumm Na Ho Jayein” National Cookery Contest, dedicated to preserving India’s traditional recipes and passing the rich culinary heritage of each state on to future generations.