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{{Short description|Indian Tamil-language reality show}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| genre = {{plainlist|
* Cookery
* [[Comedy film|Comedy]]}}
| based_on = ''[[Cooku with Comali]]''
| director = Parthiv Mani
| judges = {{Plainlist|
* [[Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat|Chef Venkatesh Bhat]] (season 1–present)
* Chef Rammohan (season 1–present)
* [[Binni Krishnakumar|Singer Binni Krishnakumar]] (season 1; special appearance in one episode in season 2)
; Mentor Chefs:
* Chef Adrian (season 2–present)
* Chef Cheruba (season 1–present)
* Chef Sai (season 1–present)
* Chef Saravanan (season 1)
* Chef Yuvasri (season 1)
}}
| presenter = VJ Rakesh (season 1–present) [[Sivaangi Krishnakumar]] (season 2–present)
| producer = [[Media Masons]]
| cinematography = Sudhir Koushik
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = Season 1: {{#expr:
{{tmpv|Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 1|Infobox television season||num_episodes}}
}}
| runtime = * Season 1: {{approx}} 65{{ndash}}75 minutes
* Season 2: 50 minutes (each on Saturday and Sunday)
| camera = [[Multi-camera]]
| network = [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] [[Sun NXT]]
| company = Media Masons
| first_aired = {{Start date|df=y|2024|05|19}}
| last_aired = present
}}
'''''Top Cooku Dupe Cooku''''' (often abbreviated as '''''TCDC''''') is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language comedy [[Cooking show|cooking competition show]], produced by Media Masons. The show is produced and judged by [[Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat|Venkatesh Bhat]],<ref name=L3/> along with Rammohan. In season one, the show was supported by [[Binni Krishnakumar]] and hosted by Rakesh, while in season two, it was hosted by Rakesh and [[Sivaangi Krishnakumar]].<ref name=L4/><ref name=L5/> The show is based on the reality series ''[[Cooku with Comali]]'', which was also conceived and produced for four seasons by Media Masons, but for a different channel.<ref name=":02">{{cite web |author=Parthiban.A |date=3 May 2024 |title=யாரு தான் Copy அடிக்கல.. CWC vs Top Cooku Dupe Cooku! தீபா அக்கா Exclusive Interview |url=https://cineulagam.com/article/cwc-vs-top-cooku-dupe-cooku-deepa-akka-interview-1714685875 |website=cineulagam.com |language=ta}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

== Format ==
The contestants are referred to as "top cooku" and would be paired up with a "dupe cooku" each week. Some episodes feature one or more guest judges.<ref name="Format1"/>
;Rapid fire round
In season one, the show begins with the rapid fire round, in which the top cookus are given a simple task to complete within 120 seconds. The winner can choose their desired dupe cooku, while others will be paired randomly.<ref name="Format1" /> This round was absent from season two.
; Golden table challenge
After pairing up, teams take part in a 20 minute quick-fire cooking task called the golden table challenge. The winning team earns the right to cook at a special golden workstation equipped with premium amenities, and they enjoy exclusive privileges for the rest of the episode such as immunity, priority access to ingredients, and additional support from their chef mentor.
; Main challenge
In each episode, all teams participate in a themed main cooking challenge, where they must create dishes based on a given concept or cuisine. The chefs can guide their teams from a distance and are allowed a limited chef's time-out, where the chef may step into the kitchen and offer verbal instructions. Teams are judged on taste, presentation, and creativity, and the lowest-scoring cook faces elimination.<ref name="Format1" />

=== Elimination ===
; Elimination box selection (season one)
At the beginning of each episode in season one, the top cookus are presented with two boxes. One box contains a card marked "elimination episode”, while the other contains a card marked “non-elimination episode”. The contestants must jointly choose a box to determine the nature of the episode. If a non-elimination card is selected on two consecutive weeks, the third week automatically becomes an elimination round.<ref name="Format1" /><ref name="SoniaEl" />
;Elimination challenge (season two)
Season two does not use the box selection format. Instead, the show follows a two-week cycle:

* '''Challenger round:''' One or more external challengers compete against the existing contestants. They participate in one or more cooking challenges leading up to the one lakh box challenge. If the challenger wins, all current contestants face an elimination round the following week. If one of the contestants wins, only that contestant is safe for the next week, and the remaining contestants must compete in the elimination round.
* '''Elimination week:''' The week following the challenger round is an elimination episode where the contestants (except the winners, if any) compete to avoid elimination.
; Wild card entry
Halfway through the season, at least one top cooku will join the contestants, called a wild card entry and are assigned a new mentor.<ref name=wild/> Season two featured no wild card entries nor additional mentors.
; Final stage
In the final stage of the season, all episodes are either elimination episodes or ticket to the finale rounds leading up to the season finale.<ref name=fs1-15/><ref name=fs1-17/>

== Judges and hosts ==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:none;text-align:center;font-size:90%;width: 60%;"
|-
! scope="col" | Season
! scope="col" | Host
! scope="colgroup" colspan="3" | Judges (in order of first appearance)
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" | Mentor chefs
|-
! scope="row" | 1
| VJ Rakesh || [[Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat|Chef Venkatesh Bhat]] || [[Binni Krishnakumar]]|| Chef Rammohan || Chef Cheruba || Chef Sai || Chef Saravanan || Chef Yuvasri
|-
! scope="row" | 2
| VJ Rakesh & [[Sivaangi Krishnakumar]]|| [[Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat|Chef Venkatesh Bhat]] || Chef Rammohan || - || Chef Sai ||Chef Adrian|| Chef Cheruba ||-
|}

== Series overview ==
{{Series overview
| auxA = Prize Money
| infoA = Winners
| infoB = Runners-up
| color1 = #FBB700
| link1 = Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 1
| episodes1 = {{#expr:{{tmpv|Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 1|Infobox television season||num_episodes}}}}
| start1 = {{Start date|2024|05|19|df=y}}
| end1 = {{Start date|2024|09|29|df=y}}
| network1 = [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] [[Sun NXT]]
| auxA1 = 20 lakhs
| infoA1 = Narendra Prasath [[Sujatha Sivakumar]]
| infoB1 = [[FEFSI Vijayan]] [[Chaitra Reddy]]
| color2 = #4B0082
| link2 = Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 2
| episodes2 = {{#expr:{{tmpv|Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 2|Infobox television season||num_episodes}}}}
| start2 = {{Start date|2025|08|17|df=y}}
| end2 = {{Start date|2025|12|14|df=y}}
| network2 = [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] [[Sun NXT]]
| auxA2 = 20 lakhs
| infoA2 = [[Besant Ravi]]
| infoB2 = Preetha Delna Davis Kiran Vaahesan
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
[[Media Masons]] producer Ravoofa announced at the end of February that their company was quitting [[Star Vijay]] television after 25 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/cooku-with-comali-producer-director-walks-out-of-show-fans-shocked-no-new-season-latest-tamil-news-351498|title='Cooku With Comali' new season becomes doubtful as the show's crew moves out one by one - Deets|website=www.indiaglitz.com|date=4 March 2024|language=en}}</ref> Later on, Media Masons decide to produce a new cooking show like ''[[Cooku with Comali]]''<ref name=":0">{{cite web|author=Parthiban.A|url=https://cineulagam.com/article/cwc-vs-top-cooku-dupe-cooku-deepa-akka-interview-1714685875|title=யாரு தான் Copy அடிக்கல.. CWC vs Top Cooku Dupe Cooku! தீபா அக்கா Exclusive Interview|website=cineulagam.com|date=3 May 2024|language=ta}}</ref> on [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tamil.filmibeat.com/top-listing/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-vijay-tv-cook-with-comali-fame-stars-jumped-to-sun-tv-new-program-promo-video-released-5-4031.html|title=டாப் குக்கு டூப் குக்கு - விஜய் டிவியில் இருந்து சன் டிவிக்கு தாவிய குக் வித் கோமாளி பிரபலங்கள்...|website=tamil.filmibeat.com|date=30 April 2024|language=ta}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/venkatesh-bhat-is-the-producer-of-top-cooku-dupe-cooku-in-sun-tv-tamilfont-news-354202|title='டாப் குக்கு டூப் குக்கு' நிகழ்ச்சியின் தயாரிப்பாளர் வெங்கடேஷ் பட்டா? பரபரப்பு தகவல்..!|website=www.indiaglitz.com|date=30 April 2024|language=ta}}</ref>

=== Release ===
The first season's first promo was unveiled on 28 April 2024. The first season's second promo was unveiled on 1 May 2024, featuring the first contestants [[FEFSI Vijayan]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Rajkumar|url=https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-new-promo/|title=Top Cooku Dupe Cookuவின் புதிய ப்ரோமோ – போட்டியாளராக வந்த பிரபல வில்லன் நடிகர்|website=tamil.behindtalkies.com|date=2 May 2024|language=ta}}</ref>

== Also See ==

* [[Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 1|''Top Cooku Dupe Cooku'' season 1]]
* [[Top Cooku Dupe Cooku season 2|''Top Cooku Dupe Cooku'' season 2]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=





<ref name=L3>{{cite web|url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2024/Apr/29/top-cooku-dupe-cooku|title=டாப் குக்கு டூப் குக்கு செஃப் வெங்கடேஷ் பட்!|website=[[Dinamani]]|date=29 April 2024|language=ta}}</ref>
<ref name=L4>{{cite web|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/television/sun-tv-top-cooku-dupe-cooku-launch-promo-shared-to-venkatesh-bhatt-601979.html|title=சன் டிவிக்கு போன வெங்கடேஷ் பட்டின் புது பதிவு! இதுதான் வார்த்தையை விட்டு சிக்குறதா? ரசிகர்கள் கேள்வி|website=Tamil [[Oneindia]]|date=29 April 2024|language=ta|access-date=19 May 2024|archive-date=3 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503153539/https://tamil.oneindia.com/television/sun-tv-top-cooku-dupe-cooku-launch-promo-shared-to-venkatesh-bhatt-601979.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=L5>{{cite web|author=V Vasanthi|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/television/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-venkatesh-bhatt-shared-the-video-and-praised-gp-muthu-602277.html|title=விஜய் டிவியை விட்டு சன் டிவிக்கு போன காரணம்? ஜி.பி முத்து வீடியோவை பகிர்ந்து.. வெங்கடேஷ் பட் பதிவு|website=Tamil [[Oneindia]]|date=30 April 2024|language=ta|access-date=19 May 2024|archive-date=3 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803092957/https://tamil.oneindia.com/television/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-venkatesh-bhatt-shared-the-video-and-praised-gp-muthu-602277.html|url-status=live}}</ref>



<ref name="Format1">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/new-cooking-reality-show-top-cooku-dupe-cooku-set-to-premiere-on-may-19/articleshow/110049993.cms|title=New cooking reality show 'Top Cooku Dupe Cooku' set to premiere on May 19|website=[[Times Of India]]|date=29 April 2024|language=en|access-date=21 May 2024|archive-date=3 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803092946/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/new-cooking-reality-show-top-cooku-dupe-cooku-set-to-premiere-on-may-19/articleshow/110049993.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="SoniaEl">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-from-chaitra-reddy-winning-the-advantage-to-sonia-agarwals-elimination-a-look-at-major-events/articleshow/111053815.cms|title=Top Cooku Dupe Cooku: From Chaitra Reddy winning the advantage to Sonia Agarwal's elimination - A look at major events|website=[[Times Of India]]|date=18 June 2024|language=ta|access-date=18 June 2024|archive-date=18 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618015421/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-from-chaitra-reddy-winning-the-advantage-to-sonia-agarwals-elimination-a-look-at-major-events/articleshow/111053815.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=wild>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TYC81WC_xk |title=Top Cooku Dupe Cooku - Promo {{!}} 04 August 2024 {{!}} Sunday @ 12:30 PM {{!}} Sun TV |date=2024-07-30 |last=Sun TV |access-date=2024-08-02 |via=YouTube |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802004122/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TYC81WC_xk |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=fs1-15>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-KQGC_yMIE |title=Top Cooku Dupe Cooku - Promo {{!}} 25 August 2024 {{!}} Sunday @ 12:30 PM {{!}} Sun TV |date=2024-08-23 |last=Sun TV |access-date=2024-08-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
<ref name=fs1-17>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgACuwIDE8I |title=Top Cooku Dupe Cooku - Promo {{!}} 08 Sep 2024 {{!}} Sunday @ 12:30 PM {{!}} Sun TV |date=2024-09-03 |last=Sun TV |access-date=2024-09-08 |via=YouTube}}</ref>



<ref name=SoniaEl>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-from-chaitra-reddy-winning-the-advantage-to-sonia-agarwals-elimination-a-look-at-major-events/articleshow/111053815.cms|title=Top Cooku Dupe Cooku: From Chaitra Reddy winning the advantage to Sonia Agarwal's elimination - A look at major events|website=[[Times Of India]]|date=18 June 2024|language=ta|access-date=18 June 2024|archive-date=18 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618015421/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/top-cooku-dupe-cooku-from-chaitra-reddy-winning-the-advantage-to-sonia-agarwals-elimination-a-look-at-major-events/articleshow/111053815.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>



}}

{{Sun TV shows}}

[[Category:2024 Tamil-language television series debuts]]
[[Category:Top Cooku Dupe Cooku|*]]
[[Category:Sun TV original programming]]
[[Category:Tamil-language cooking television series]]
[[Category:Tamil-language game shows]]
[[Category:Tamil-language reality television series]]
[[Category:Tamil-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Tamil Nadu]]

Top Cooku Dupe Cooku - Revision history

CandelariaSanche: starting new article