New Delhi, October 14, 2025 — The aroma of creativity and passion filled the air as the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) hosted the 22nd Annual Chef Awards 2025 at The Ashok, New Delhi, marking a spectacular prelude to International Chefs Day. Often hailed as the “Oscars of the Indian Culinary Industry,” this glittering evening brought together India’s finest chefs, hospitality leaders, and culinary visionaries under one roof to celebrate innovation, artistry, and excellence in gastronomy.
The Chef Awards 2025 shone a spotlight on 17 outstanding chefs who have redefined India’s culinary landscape. From timeless traditions to contemporary creations, each award recognized the mastery and dedication that fuels India’s thriving hospitality scene.
Among the evening’s top honours were:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Chef Umesh Mattoo
Jury Choice Award – Chef Julia Carmen
Golden Hat Award – Chef Sandeep Kalra (Air India)
Silver Hat Award – Chef Shailender Singh (Pride Hotel)
Shri Anil Bhandari Memorial – Chef of the Year Award – Chef Ankit Gaurav (Country Inn & Suites) and Chef Karan Mehta (Le Meridien)
Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, Mrs. Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Managing Director, India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), joined eminent personalities from across the hospitality spectrum to celebrate India’s culinary excellence.
The road to the Chef Awards was as exciting as the finale itself. Over 150 talented chefs from across India showcased their skills during a four-day culinary challenge at the Institute of Bakery & Culinary Arts (IBCA) and the Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi.
Ten MasterChef Awards were conferred in specialized categories, highlighting the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine:
| Category | Winner | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Master Chef International Cuisine | Jaskaran Singh | India Habitat Centre |
| Master Chef Oriental Cuisine | Timothy Lepcha | India Habitat Centre |
| Master Chef North Indian Cuisine | Naman Sanjay Mahorla | Pride Plaza, Aerocity |
| Master Chef East/West/South Indian Cuisine | Abhishek Sengupta | Manipal University, Jaipur |
| Master Chef Kebab | Nitin Kumar | India Habitat Centre |
| Master Chef Indian Sweets | Daman Prakash | The Ashok Hotel |
| Master Chef International Confectionery | Pawan | Marriott, Aerocity |
| Master Chef Baker | Devender Yadav | Pullman & Novotel, Aerocity |
| Master Chef Butcher | Tara Subba | India Habitat Centre |
| Student Chef of the Year | Harpreet Kaur Malik (The Ashok Hotel) & Shresth Agrawal (Vedatya Institute) | — |
Speaking about the celebration, Chef Davinder Kumar, President of ICF, said:
“The Annual Chef Awards stand as a proud symbol of excellence and dedication within India’s culinary fraternity. Each year, we celebrate chefs who blend tradition and innovation, shaping the nation’s gastronomic identity.”
Echoing this sentiment, Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of ICF, added:
“Beyond recognition, these awards represent learning, sustainability, and growth. ICF continues to nurture talent and foster collaboration, empowering chefs to redefine excellence in the kitchen.”
Since its establishment in 1987, the Indian Culinary Forum has served as India’s leading professional body for chefs, fostering culinary advancement and innovation. Affiliated with the World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS) — representing over nine million chefs across 110 countries — ICF bridges global perspectives with Indian tradition.
From competitions to mentorship programs, ICF continues to elevate Indian cuisine on the world stage, encouraging young chefs to embrace hospitality as a rewarding career and uphold the nation’s rich gastronomic heritage.
The 22nd Annual Chef Awards 2025 was supported by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, as the Exclusive Hospitality Partners — embodying the spirit of excellence that defines India’s culinary journey.
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