Nikita Pathakji Biography – Nikita Pathakji Wiki

Nikita Pathakji, a distinguished private chef from Britain, achieved fame by winning the 2022 edition of MasterChef: The Professionals. Furthermore, she earned a spot as a finalist on the Great British Menu in 2026. Currently, Nikita runs her own private chef business, designing tailor-made menus for clients, showcasing the expertise she developed in Michelin-starred environments. Her ambition is to eventually open her own restaurant.

Hailing from Derby, Nikita’s culinary journey began with an apprenticeship at Westminster Kingsway College, where she balanced academic learning with practical kitchen experience. She initiated her professional career at The Lanesborough Hotel, gaining experience in the afternoon tea section, pastry, and ultimately, the Michelin-starred restaurant, Céleste.

Her next step was Bibendum, a two Michelin-starred establishment under the guidance of Claude Bosi, where she honed her skills in classical French cuisine. This was followed by a transformative nine-month exploration of Southeast Asia, which she credits with significantly influencing her culinary style.

Returning to London, Nikita further refined her craft at Core by Clare Smyth, a three Michelin-starred venue, before moving to Kitchen W8, a one Michelin-starred restaurant. There, she advanced her skills under Mark Kempson and was promoted to Junior Sous Chef.

In 2022, Nikita’s culinary prowess was recognized when she claimed the title of MasterChef: The Professionals champion, impressing with her meticulous and sophisticated dishes that featured unique flavor pairings. By 2024, she became the Head Chef at The Princess of Shoreditch, her first head chef appointment, where she continued to blend classical techniques with diverse global influences.

Nikita Pathakji Age

Nikita Pathakji, the MasterChef: The Professionals champion, was born in Derby in 1997 to parents of Indian descent.

Nikita Pathakji Husband

Nikita Pathakji met her boyfriend at Kitchen W8 in Kensington in 2021, who she calls her ‘big cheerleader’.

Family

Nikita was brought up in Derby by her Indian-born parents, mother Rima, who works in financial services and her father, Sona, a retired engineer for Rolls-Royce, alongside an elder sister, Isha. Her parents then divorced, with Rima moving to London while Nikita and Isha remained with their dad in Derby.

She lives in Clapham, London, with her mum, step-dad, sister and Dexter the dog.

MasterChef: The Professionals 2022 Winner

On 11 December 2022, Nikita Pathakji was crowned champion of TV cooking competition MasterChef: The Professionals after impressing judges over six weeks of intense cooking challenges. Her winning menu featured sea bass cured in a citrus dressing with a smoked aubergine puree, and a side of aubergine crisps. It was followed by a take on her favourite dish from Thailand, Khao Soi, with a cardamom and custard tart paired with a honey and lemon sorbet for dessert.

Reacting to her win, Nikita  said: “This is incredible and I can’t put it into words. It surpasses every achievement of my life. I don’t know how I’m going to top this. This is the peak, I think I’ve reached it!”

Nikita credited her family for sparking her passion for cuisine. “My mum has been cooking since I was a kid, creating dishes, and I’ve been cooking with her in the kitchen,” she told the BBC. “And then my dad really sparked my love of travelling, so all of them together are the reason I cook the food I do.”

Nikita said she hoped her success on the show would act as a springboard for exciting projects in the future. “It’s very exciting because it’s the first time in my career where there are people who really want to eat my food – and I want to do that for them,” she said. “I want to do pop-ups and collaborations and work with the fabulous chefs I competed alongside.”

Great British Menu

Derby-born chef Nikita Pathakji is a contestant on the Great British Menu 2026. Her menu is a celebration of style, the central region and the films and actors that hail from there.

Nationality

Nikita is of British nationality.

Ethnicity

Nikita is of Indian heritage.

Instagram

Nikita Pathakji’s Instagram is @chefnikita.p.