GECs
Nat Geo Digital Media appoints content operations V-P
MUMBAI: Betsy Scolnik has joined National Geographic Digital Media as vice president of content operations. She reports to Digital Media President Chris McAndrews.
“The VP content operations role is designed to help Digital Media achieve success in emerging, fast-growth media markets through the effective and efficient utilization of National Geographic content,” said McAndrews. “Betsy will take a leadership position in content development efforts for the Nationalgeographic.com Web site and in Digital Media’s initiatives in the wireless, video game, broadband and education markets.”
Prior to joining National Geographic, Scolnik worked at AOL for four years. From 2003 she served as vice president and general manager entertainment for AOL Europe based at AOL’s U.S. and European operations in Dulles, Va., and London, England. Most recently, she was a key player in the development and execution of AOL’s highly successful “Live 8” series of concerts.
Previously, Scolnik worked for StarMedia network, then the largest Spanish- and Portuguese-language Internet media company, where she ran business development and programming for the StarMedia services across South America and Europe.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
