The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) hosted the 21st Annual Chef Awards at The Ashok, New Delhi, ahead of International Chefs Day. The event brought together chefs and industry professionals to recognise achievements in the culinary field.
Nakul Anand, former Executive Director of ITC Hotels, presented the awards, which honoured chefs who have made notable contributions to Indian cuisine and the hospitality sector.
The Chef Awards, organised by ICF, aim to highlight individual achievements and the role of Indian cuisine internationally. Chef Davinder Kumar, president of the Indian Culinary Forum, said the event is a way to acknowledge the dedication and efforts of those in the culinary profession.
“ICF will continue to encourage the betterment of the culinary profession. Through improved education, related industry events, and collaboratively setting new benchmarks in the hospitality industry, we will constantly strive to bring our fraternity closer,” Kumar said.
This year, seventeen chefs were recognised for their work. Five Chef Awards were decided by a jury, while 12 Master Chef Awards followed a four-day competition involving over 150 chefs. The competition was held at the Institute of Bakery & Culinary Arts (IBCA) and the Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management in Delhi. A jury of certified chefs from across India evaluated the participants, with Chef Nimish Bhatia as chairperson and Chef Rajeev Chopra as organising secretary.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Chef Sanjiv Mediratta, while Chef Gautam Chaudhry of Demiurgic Hospitality Private Limited received the Golden Hat Chef award. Chef Diwas Wadhera from Eros Hotel, Nehru Place, won the Silver Hat Chef award, and Chef Syed Ali Miya Naqvi from Radisson Kaushambi was named Pastry Chef of the Year. The Anil Bhandari Chef of the Year award was presented to Chef Vikram Shokeen from The Ashok.
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Additional awards included the Master Chef Carver award to Chef Praveen Kumar of IHC, Habitat World Delhi, and the Master Chef Butcher award to Chef Sanjay Bakhla of Le-Meridien, Delhi. Chef Praveen Kumar from Country Inn & Suites, Sahibabad, was recognised as Master Chef Kebab, while Chef Omvir Singh from The Ashok won the Master Chef Indian Sweets award.
Other recipients included Chef Deepak Kumar of JW Marriott Aerocity for Master Chef International Confectionery, Chef Sunder Rajan of Caddie Hotels Aerocity for Master Chef East West South Indian Cuisine, Chef Navjot Singh from Novotel Aerocity for Master Chef North Indian Cuisine, Chef Aman Prajapati from Delhi Aerocity for Master Chef International Cuisine, and Chef Suraj Thakur of Eros Hotel, Nehru Place, for Master Chef Oriental Cuisine.
Chef Sunny from Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi received the Master Chef Baker award, while the Student Chef of the Year awards went to Shaila Swamy from IBCA (Female category) and Rishi Goyal from Vedatya Institute (Male category).
The Indian Culinary Forum, formed in 1987 as a non-profit body, is the association of professional chefs of Northern India, aimed at promoting the culinary arts in India. It continues to support the profession through competitions, training, and workshops aimed at improving the culinary craft.
“Chef Awards is not merely a competition but a platform for chefs to put their culinary skills on display, which will surely enhance their culinary quest, knowledge, and forte,” Chef Vivek Saggar, ICF General Secretary, said.
He added, “The idea behind the Chef Awards is that it is our responsibility to create an environment where creativity flourishes and chefs feel empowered to showcase their unique culinary voices. The rigorous competitions held this year were a testament to the talent within our community, and we are proud to support these chefs as they continue to contribute to the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine.”
