Pyatigorsk Hairdresser Advances in Battle of Chefs with Pork Ribs
Nikolai Golubtsov, a hairdresser from Pyatigorsk, has advanced to the next round of the cooking show Battle of Chefs after impressing judge Renat Agzamov with his pork ribs and klops dishes.
Jan 20, 2026 0
The image shows a contestant from Pyatigorsk progressing in the culinary competition Battle of Chefs.
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Nikolai Golubtsov from Pyatigorsk confidently made his mark on the federal culinary project Battle of Chefs and immediately advanced to the next stage. The chefs gave him a firm «yes,» and Nikolai joined Renat Agzamov«s team.
Nikolai prepared BBQ ribs with prunes, baked potatoes, coleslaw, and a signature sauce for the tasting.
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Nikolai is 47 years old and works as a hairdresser-colorist. As the participant admits, hairdressing and cooking are related professions: both require taste, imagination, and precision. Therefore, stepping onto the culinary stage became a logical continuation of his creative path.
Nikolai Golubtsov from the Stavropol Territory moves forward in season 5 of Battle of Chefs.
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Nikolai made an impressive entrance at the casting—with presentation and a story. In front of the chefs, he told a small parable about Adam«s little boar that »came down from the mountains and gave up its ribs« to be judged by culinary masters.
For the tasting, the participant presented BBQ ribs with prunes, baked potatoes, coleslaw salad, and a signature sauce.
«You are amazing,» came from Konstantin Ivlev.
«And what is in the sauce?» asked Renat Agzamov.
The chefs noted the beautiful presentation and that the meat literally melts in the mouth. In the end—two «yeses» out of two possible and the choice of Renat Agzamov«s team.
But it was too early to relax. Already in the first stage of the project, participants were given the task to prepare klops (a type of meatball dish) in 40 minutes—a dish that turned out to be unfamiliar to many. According to the conditions, the recipe had to include an ingredient uncharacteristic for meat dishes, and a side dish was welcomed.
Many were confused, but Nikolai bet on capers—Agzamov«s weak point, as the chefs later admitted.
The dish turned out worthy: the meatballs were slightly dry, but the side dish and overall taste received high praise.
Based on the stage results, Vladimir Pudov and Olga Tyukina left Renat«s team, and Nikolai Golubtsov from the Stavropol Territory confidently advanced to the next round. Further—it gets even harder: chefs will swap teams, assign dishes to each other, and decide who leaves the project.
The editorial staff of 26.RU wishes luck to our fellow countryman—and is closely following his further performance.
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