The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) celebrated India’s finest culinary professionals at the 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026, recognising outstanding talent, professional excellence and contributions to the country’s hospitality and food industry. Held at Sovereign Hall, Le Méridien, New Delhi, the prestigious ceremony commemorated International Chefs Day and brought together established culinary leaders, experienced professionals and emerging chefs from across India.

Often regarded as the ‘Oscars of the Indian Culinary Industry’, the annual awards highlighted the dedication, creativity and technical expertise that continue to shape India’s culinary landscape. The event also recognised winners of the Master Chef competitions, which were organised earlier in October.

A Prestigious Celebration of India’s Culinary Excellence

The ceremony was graced by Amb. Jawed Ashraf, IFS (Retd.), Chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation, as the Chief Guest. Several prominent personalities from the culinary and hospitality sectors also attended the event.

The awards featured six major Top Chef recognition categories, celebrating professional achievements, leadership and contributions to the culinary profession. Alongside these honours, the Master Chef competitions provided a platform for chefs to demonstrate their technical abilities, creativity and commitment to professional kitchen standards.

The annual celebration continues to play an important role in recognising culinary excellence while encouraging the next generation of chefs to pursue innovation and professional development.

Lifetime Achievement and Top Chef Award Winners 2026

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chef Ajay Kumar Sood, recognising his contribution to the culinary profession.

Other leading honours included:

• Golden Hat Chef Award: Chef Vivek Saggar
• Silver Hat Chef Award: Chef Sanjay Babu Dasari
• Academic Chef of the Year: Chef Pawan Ailawadi
• Pastry Chef of the Year: Chef Jaideep Singh Rana
• Shri Anil Bhandari Memorial – Chef of the Year: Chef Vaibhav Soni
• Lady Chef of the Year: Chef Richa Johri

These awards recognised professionals whose experience, leadership and dedication have contributed to the development of India’s culinary and hospitality industry.

ICF Leadership Highlights the Importance of Culinary Recognition

Speaking at the ceremony, Chef Davinder Kumar, President of the Indian Culinary Forum, emphasised the importance of recognising the hard work and professionalism of chefs across the country.

He explained that the Annual Chef Awards provide an opportunity for culinary professionals to demonstrate their abilities, learn from fellow chefs and maintain high standards in professional kitchens.

The forum’s philosophy, ‘From Chefs, By Chefs and For Chefs’, continues to guide its efforts to strengthen the culinary community through recognition, competitions and continuous learning.

Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum, also highlighted that culinary excellence requires more than creativity. Technical precision, discipline, continuous learning and professional standards are equally important in building a successful culinary career.

He added that the Master Chef competitions allow participants to put these qualities into practice while encouraging young professionals to develop their skills and contribute to the future of India’s culinary sector.

Master Chef Competitions Bring Together Culinary Talent from Across India

A major part of the 23rd Annual Chef Awards celebrations was the Master Chef competition, which attracted participants from different parts of the country.

The competitions covered a wide range of culinary disciplines, including Indian and international cuisines, traditional Indian sweets, kebabs, international confectionery, baking, butchery, vegetable carving and student chef categories.

The events were conducted at two institutions in New Delhi:

• Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BCIHMCT), from 21 to 23 October 2026.
• Institute of Bakery and Culinary Arts, on 26 October 2026.

The competitions were evaluated by a panel of professional chefs led by Chef Rajeev Janveja, Chief of Jury.

Participants were assessed on several important criteria, including personal and workstation hygiene, food wastage, mise-en-place, presentation, culinary techniques, and the taste and texture of their dishes and accompaniments.

Eligible winners in the Master Chef categories also received cash prizes of ₹20,000, adding further recognition to their achievements.

Master Chef Competition Winners 2026

The competition recognised outstanding performances across multiple culinary categories. The winners included:

• Master Chef International Confectionery: Mohd. Saquib Hussain, The Westin Gurugram
• Master Chef Oriental Cuisine: Chef Dilraj, Radisson Blu Plaza
• Master Chef North Indian Cuisine: Chef Mohd. Rabbi Khan, The Ashok
• Master Chef South/East/West Indian Cuisine: Chef Maqrub Alam, The Ashok
• Master Chef Indian Sweets: Chef Ravindra Raut, The Westin Gurugram
• Master Chef Kebabs: Darshan Rawat, India Habitat Centre
• Master Chef International Cuisine: Chef Deepak Bisht, Le Méridien
• Master Chef Baker: Chef Sajid, Lemon Tree Aerocity
• Master Chef Butcher: Chef Vikas Kumar, Radisson Gurugram Udyog Vihar
• Student Chef of the Year – Male: Chef Suhail Khan, BCIHMCT
• Student Chef of the Year – Female: Chef Nandini Gupta, BCIHMCT

The diverse list of winners reflects the depth of culinary talent across India’s hotel, restaurant and hospitality education sectors. From traditional Indian cuisine to international confectionery and professional baking, the competition showcased the wide range of skills required in today’s culinary industry.

Distinguished Guests and Awards Presidium

The awards ceremony was attended by the ICF Awards Presidium, comprising several well-known personalities from the hospitality and culinary sectors.

The members included Chef Ritu Dalmia, Ms. Sonali Mitra, Mr. Vikrant Batra, Chef Sanjeev Ghatak, Chef Ajay Chopra and Ms. Smriti Nambiar.

Their presence added to the significance of the event, which continues to bring together experienced industry professionals and emerging culinary talent on a common platform.

About the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF)

Established in 1987 in New Delhi, the Indian Culinary Forum is one of India’s prominent professional associations dedicated to advancing culinary arts and supporting the country’s chef community.

Operating as a non-profit organisation, ICF works as a platform for professional development, industry collaboration and the promotion of Indian culinary traditions.

The forum is affiliated with the World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS), an international organisation representing more than nine million professional chefs across 110 countries, according to the organisation’s supplied profile.

Through competitions, seminars, training programmes and industry events, ICF encourages young people to explore careers in hospitality while supporting professional chefs in developing their knowledge and skills.

Its initiatives also aim to promote Indian cuisine internationally, preserve traditional culinary practices and create opportunities for mentorship and continuous learning.

Celebrating the Future of India’s Culinary Industry

The 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026 once again highlighted the talent, dedication and professionalism driving India’s culinary sector forward.

By recognising established culinary leaders alongside emerging chefs and students, the Indian Culinary Forum continues to create opportunities for professional growth and industry recognition.

As India’s hospitality and food industries continue to evolve, platforms such as the Annual Chef Awards play an important role in encouraging innovation, preserving culinary traditions and inspiring the next generation of chefs.