Tokupu Sumi was declared the winner of Naga Chef season 9 at the much-awaited finale held today at Kisama.

Guest judge Gary Mehigan, chef, author and restaurateur, thanked the organisers and the participants for giving him the opportunity to try authentic Naga cuisine and new ingredients.

Out of the total number of seven participants who competed for the coveted title of Naga Chef Season 9, three finalists were chosen: Keneilhoubei-ü Lense, Kazusangba Jamir and Tokupu Sumi.

The participants were judged based on the following rounds: Cooking Skills, Childhood Memories, Innovation Round, Just Desserts, My Naga Thali.

Tokupu Sumi received Rs 2 lakh with gift hampers. The winners of the different rounds were also presented with gift hampers. In addition, all the participants of the competition were given cooking master class.

The judges of this year’s Naga Chef were Chef Joel Basumatari, Rovi Chase and Alemjungla Jamir with chef Gary Mehigan, one of the original judges of Master Chef Australia, as the guest judge.

The event was managed by Synergy Group Enterprise and sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland.