Laqshya Media Group has announced the launch of a culinary reality series, ‘Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef’, the first original intellectual property (IP) from Laqshya StoryWorks.
Following its premiere on &TV on August 1, Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef now airs every Saturday at 6:30 PM, with repeat telecasts on Sundays at 9:00 AM, and is available to stream on ZEE5. The six-episode reality cookery show will also be telecast on Zee News UP/UK, giving it a multi-platform presence across OTT, general entertainment channel (GEC) and regional news, expanding its reach and audience engagement.
A culinary talent hunt for Uttar Pradesh, the show celebrates the state’s rich culinary heritage while giving home chefs a platform. Drawing over 350 entries from 75 districts, the competition shortlisted 15 finalists, each representing the unique flavours, family recipes and food traditions of regions including Awadh, Mughal, Bundelkhand and Purvanchal. The series features chef Harpal Singh Sokhi as Head Judge and actor Gaurav Khanna as Co-Judge and Host. Together, they mentor contestants while celebrating the stories and traditions behind Uttar Pradesh’s food culture.
Blending competition with cultural storytelling, Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef aims to preserve regional cuisines, spotlight homegrown culinary talent and inspire aspiring chefs through mentorship and visibility.
Atul Shrivastava, Director and CEO, Laqshya Media Group, said, “Laqshya StoryWorks was founded with the vision of creating original, scalable and culturally rooted content IPs that connect with audiences across television, OTT and digital platforms. ‘Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef’ is a fitting first step in that journey. The overwhelming response to the premiere has reaffirmed our belief that authentic, locally rooted stories have the power to resonate with audiences across the country.
“The show celebrates extraordinary homegrown talent and the rich culinary heritage of one of India’s most culturally diverse states, while offering brands a compelling platform to engage audiences through meaningful storytelling. This is just the beginning. Over the coming year, we plan to expand the franchise with dedicated editions in Maharashtra, West Bengal and South India, building a strong portfolio of regional entertainment properties that celebrate India’s cultural diversity with multi-platform appeal,” Shrivastava said.
The inaugural season is backed by a roster of partners, including Co-Presenting Partner, Rajesh Masala; Co-Powered By, Homefoil, Borosil, Driven By Partner, Kia Motors, Sanskriti University; Shot On Partner, realme mobile; and Pan Bahar.
Directed by Sanjay Nandan, the show is backed by Ravi Kudesia as Business Head and Dhruv Bhattacharya as National Sales Head, with production by Laqshya Media Group. As the first original IP from Laqshya StoryWorks, Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef marks a strategic milestone in Laqshya Media Group’s expansion into original entertainment, strengthening its presence in the creator economy through scalable, multi-platform content properties.
