ICF will present 21st Annual Chef Awards

The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) will be presenting the 21st Annual Chef Awards, a premier celebration of culinary excellence in India. Set for 17^th October 2024, at The Ashok, New Delhi, this event is one of India’s oldest and largest culinary gatherings, bringing together top Chefs, innovators, and gastronomic artists from across the country. Renowned for recognising exceptional creativity and skill, the Chef Awards will this year offer a remarkable tribute to the evolving art of Indian cuisine.

 With around 200 participants, the Chef Awards’ culinary competition will span diverse categories, including Master Chef of the Year, Kebabs, Indian Patisserie, Indian Sweets, International Cuisine, North Indian Cuisine, Oriental Cuisine, and Student Chef of the Year for both male and female contestants.

 Participants will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, who are Chefs and hotel industry stalwarts, certified by the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS).

 This year's jury will be chaired by Chef Rajiv Gulshan, Dean at Le Cordon Bleu Gurugram, G D Goenka University, with Chef Rajiv Chopra serving as Organising Secretary to oversee the event’s smooth execution.

 In this context, Chef Davinder Kumar, President of the Indian Culinary Forum, said, “The Chef Awards and Knowledge Summit have become cornerstones of our mission to recognise and uplift the profession in India. We are excited to once again celebrate the extraordinary talent and dedication of our Chefs, who continue to push boundaries. We anticipate an inspiring event that will foster unity and innovation in the community."

 Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum, added, “The annual Chef Awards and Knowledge Summit are about celebrating the best in our industry. This year, we are eager to uncover new trends and showcase the diverse talents of Chefs from across India. Our goal is to inspire progress and elevate the culinary community through meaningful discussions that will shape the future of our profession.”

 In addition to the competitive categories, the ICF Chef Awards also acknowledge industry veterans with awards for lifetime achievements and contributions. These include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Golden Hat, Silver Hat, Academic Silver Hat, Pastry Chef of the Year, and Lady Chef of the Year. Selected by a respected jury, these awards highlight individuals who have made a meaningful impact on the industry; reflecting the ICF's dedication to supporting both emerging talent and established leaders.

 The 12th Knowledge Summit, held alongside the Chef Awards, will a key event that will bring hospitality leaders, educators, and critics together for a day of insightful discussions. This year’s summit will delve into the theme ‘Culinarians in the AI Era - Tiptoeing the Fine Line,’ a topic that is highly relevant to the industry.