IICA Marks 20 Years of Culinary Excellence at Its Grand 40th Convocation in New Delhi
New Delhi recently witnessed a heartwarming celebration of passion, flavor, and future-ready talent as the International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA) celebrated two major milestones: its 20th Foundation Day and the 40th Bi-Annual Convocation. Hosted at Holiday Inn, Aerocity, the event brought together India’s top culinary minds, rising chefs, and industry leaders who’ve helped shape the country’s modern food culture.
For a school that has spent two decades turning young food lovers into global culinary professionals, this convocation felt like a full-circle moment.
A gathering of legends and leaders
From the very beginning, the evening carried an air of pride and nostalgia. Padma Shri awardee and renowned culinary historian Dr. Pushpesh Pant graced the ceremony as Chief Guest and applauded IICA’s contribution to setting high standards in culinary education across India.
Joining him was Chef Davinder Kumar, President of the Indian Culinary Forum and a hospitality legend with over 50 years in the industry. Also present was Mr. Vikrant Batra, Co-Founder of Café Delhi Heights, one of the country’s most loved and fastest-growing restaurant brands.
All three congratulated the graduating batch and acknowledged IICA’s unwavering commitment to shaping chefs who blend technique, creativity, and cultural roots.
A high-energy panel on the future of culinary careers
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was an insightful panel discussion on “Creating Excellence in Employment and Entrepreneurship at Culinary Institutes with Industry Participation.” Moderated by IICA’s Founder and Chairman, Chef Virender Singh Datta, the conversation brought together leading names such as Chef Suman Sharma, Chef Sudhir Sibal, Chef Dhruv Oberoi, Chef Om Nayak, and entrepreneur Rocky Mohan.
The panel discussed the skills young chefs need to thrive in today’s industry, the importance of discipline, and how meaningful collaborations between institutes and hospitality businesses can close the skill gap and inspire entrepreneurship. Their message was clear: the future belongs to chefs who combine hard work with hunger to learn.
Global opportunities and international pathways
Adding an international perspective, Ms. Smriti Sharma from Austrade highlighted the growing India–Australia education partnership. She also spoke about IICA’s exclusive collaboration with BSI Learning, Australia, which gives IICA students a pathway to earn globally recognised Australian qualifications without stepping out of India. For a young culinary aspirant, this is massive.
Two decades of building India’s culinary identity
In his address, Chef Virender S. Datta reflected on IICA’s remarkable journey.
“The 40th Convocation and our 20th Foundation Day mark two decades of building India’s culinary identity. Our graduates represent passion, precision, and perseverance,” he said.
Mr. Arjun S. Datta, COO & Managing Director of IICA, added, “Our aim isn’t just to teach cooking but to open doors. Through global exposure, hands-on mentorship, and industry-led training, we prepare students to succeed anywhere in the world.”
A night of proud achievements
The event also celebrated outstanding performers from the IICA community.
• Avnee Garera (PHM 2024) received the prestigious Divya Jyoti Award along with a ₹45,000 scholarship.
• Amritpreet Singh (ADCA 2023) was honoured with the Vivek Singh Dutta Award for his dedication and excellence.
Both also received ₹25,000 cash prizes.
Among alumni, Chef Ashish Verma and Chef Shivani Vashisht were presented the Mister Tikku Star Alumnus Award, recognising their remarkable journeys in the culinary world.
The institute also honoured four long-serving faculty members led by Chef Sumit Gupta for their 16 years of dedicated contribution, along with a recognition award for senior journalist Ms. Lipla Negi, who has consistently highlighted the growth of India’s culinary industry.
Celebrating creativity, collaboration, and community
IICA unveiled the 6th edition of its newsletter, IICAOnics, showcasing student success stories, industry partnerships, and academic milestones. The celebration wrapped up with a beautifully crafted cake baked by the IICA team itself, symbolising years of teamwork and talent rising together.
The event was supported by partners like Carna Medical Database (with Tsukuba and House), KIC Hotel and Restaurant Equipment Manufacturer, MainDish.in, and Mister Tikku.
A legacy of excellence
Under the visionary leadership of Chef Virender S. Datta and the global-focused direction of Mr. Arjun S. Datta, IICA has grown into India’s most respected institute for Culinary and Patisserie Arts. With affiliations from City & Guilds UK, WACS Paris, and BSI Learning Australia, the institute has opened international doors for thousands of Indian students.
Recently, IICA was also honoured with the FICCI Higher Education Excellence Award 2025 and the Best Culinary Institute in India 2025 at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards.
Two decades in, IICA continues to raise the bar for culinary education, empowering students not just to cook but to create, innovate, and lead.
