22nd Annual Chef Awards 2025 by Indian Culinary Forum | Honoring Innovation, Heritage and the Art of Indian Cuisines’: A REFT Today Report.
New Delhi, October 2025: The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) proudly announces the 22nd. Annual Chef Awards, India’s most prestigious celebration of culinary mastery, taking place on October 13, 2025, at The Ashok, New Delhi. This grand event will unite the nation’s top chefs, industry veterans and gastronomy enthusiasts in a celebration of innovation, talent and tradition. With over 250 participants competing across 12 categories, the awards spotlight India’s diverse culinary brilliance — from regional cuisines and confectionery to bakery, kebabs and contemporary international creations.
Previous year’s pictures of knowledge summit. File Photo.
The Presidium Recognition Awards will honor luminaries who have shaped India’s culinary landscape. Key honours include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Golden Hat, Silver Hat, Academic Silver Hat, Pastry Chef of the Year and Lady Chef of the Year. The prestigious Shri Anil Bhandari Memorial – Chef of the Year Award will recognize a distinguished chef with over a decade of excellence. These honours reflect ICF’s vision of promoting both seasoned masters and emerging culinary innovators.
Jury were judging the previous event. File Photo.
Chef Davinder Kumar, President of ICF, expressed pride in India’s evolving culinary narrative, emphasizing the organization’s role in celebrating passion, artistry and professional growth. Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of ICF, added that the awards go beyond recognition — they nurture innovation, sustainability and culinary education. For the first time, winners in the Master Chef categories will receive ₹20,000 in prize money, reinforcing ICF’s commitment to rewarding skill and creativity.
Senior Chef sharing his feedback with young participant chefs. File Photo.
Running alongside the awards, the 13th. Knowledge Summit will explore the theme “Tradition to Technology: Strategies for Success in the Culinary World,” featuring renowned chefs and hospitality experts discussing the balance between heritage and modern innovation. The competitions, judged by a WACS-certified jury led by Mahesh Kumar Sharma, Vice President of Shiv Vilas Jaipur, will be held from October 6–8, 2025, at premier culinary institutes in New Delhi. Blending competition, recognition and education, the 22nd Annual Chef Awards promises to be a defining event in India’s culinary calendar.
Chef Bharat Alagh.
Last but not the least, heartfelt gratitude to Chef Bharat Alagh for his kind and humble invitation extended to the REFT Today team for exclusive media coverage of the 22nd Annual Chef Awards 2025 organized by the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) at The Ashok, New Delhi. It will truly be an honor to witness India’s finest chefs being celebrated for their passion, creativity and culinary excellence. Moments like these remind us why food is not just an art but an emotion — and we at REFT Today are proud to share this inspiring journey of flavours, innovation and recognition with the world. Till then keep reading REFT Today: https://www.refttoday.com
A SPECIAL PRE-MEDIA COVERAGE FOR: THE UPCOMING 22ND ANNUAL CHEF AWARDS 2025 BY INDIAN CULINARY FORUM.
PICTURES COURTESY: MS. RITU PANDEY (ICF) INDIAN CULINARY FORUM.
—A REFT TODAY REPORT.
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