Laqshya Media Group has launched its first original intellectual property (IP), ‘Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef’, through its content division Laqshya StoryWorks. The culinary reality series marks the Group’s entry into original content creation.
The show premiered on &TV on August 1 and airs every Saturday at 6:30 PM, with repeat telecasts on Sundays at 9:00 AM. It is also available for streaming on ZEE5. The six-episode series will additionally be telecast on Zee News UP/UK, giving the show a presence across OTT, general entertainment and regional news platforms.
‘Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef’ is a culinary talent hunt that celebrates the food heritage of Uttar Pradesh while providing home chefs with a platform to showcase their skills. The show received over 350 entries from 75 districts, from which 15 finalists were selected.
The finalists represent different regions and culinary traditions of the state, including Awadh, Mughal, Bundelkhand and Purvanchal. Renowned chef Harpal Singh Sokhi serves as the Head Judge, while actor Gaurav Khanna is the Co-Judge and Host. Together, they mentor the contestants and highlight the stories and traditions behind Uttar Pradesh’s diverse food culture.
The series combines a cooking competition with cultural storytelling, aiming to preserve regional cuisines, spotlight homegrown culinary talent and inspire aspiring chefs through mentorship and national visibility.
Speaking on the launch, Atul Shrivastava, Director & 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.”
The inaugural season has a roster of partners including Rajesh Masala as Co-Presenting Partner; Homefoil, Borosil, Driven By Partner, Kia Motors and Sanskriti University as Co-Powered By partners; realme mobile as Shot On Partner; and Pan Bahar.
Directed by Sanjay Nandan, the show is supported by Ravi Kudesia as Business Head and Dhruv Bhattacharya as National Sales Head, with production handled by Laqshya Media Group.
As the first original IP from Laqshya StoryWorks, ‘Uttar Pradesh Ka Uttam Chef’ marks a strategic step in Laqshya Media Group’s expansion into original entertainment and its efforts to develop scalable, multi-platform content properties rooted in India’s diverse regional cultures.
