The Gangotras win BBC Two’s Big Family Cooking Showdown

The Gangotra family, comprising sisters Bobby (42) and Lorna (41) and sister-in-law Monika (33), were announced as the winners of the BBC 2 Big Family Cooking Showdown on 2nd November 2017. A BBC cooking competition, the Big Family Cooking Showdown was hosted by Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain and Zoë Ball. Each week, two teams of three family members competed in three challenges, judged by Michelin star chef Giorgio Locatelli and cookery teacher Rosemary Shrager. The Gangotras impressed the judges with fish curry and a rice pudding dish.

The show started with 16 families who welcomed Nadiya, Zoe, Giorgio and Rosemary into their own kitchens to whip up dishes using their favourite family recipes. The winners in each of eight heats then moved onto a series of further competitions, until a winner was selected. The Big Family Cooking Showdown premiered on BBC Two on Tuesday, 15 August 2017, then moved Thursday evenings on 31 August to avoid a scheduling conflict with The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4. Over the 12 x 60 minute series judges Giorgio and Rosemary set challenges in both the studio kitchen and home kitchens up and down the country, whittling down the teams of cooks through a series of challenges.

About The Gangotra Family

Sisters Bobby (42) and Lorna (41) were brought up being cooked for by their grandparents in the family home in Birmingham. They always helped out making meals for special occasions at their local temple.

Sister-in-law Monika (33) embraced cooking when she married Bobby and Lorna’s brother. With a PhD in psychology she originates from Australia and grew up spoilt by her mum’s fantastic home cooking. With plenty of cooks in the Gangotra family home, Monika loves being the creative cook and is and always on hand to make the food look beautiful.

Bobby took a six-month sabbatical from her job as a GP and went to Thailand where she learnt first-hand how to whip up authentic Thai dishes.

Lorna’s husband grew up in the Middle East and this along with her love of Yotam Ottolenghi really influences her cooking, whilst Monika is a big fan of Italian and Mexican cuisine.

For further information visit www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05909nd