Indian Culinary Forum’s 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026 Highlights Culinary Skills and Professional Expertise

Culinary competitions across 12 Master Chef categories continue in New Delhi, with the awards ceremony scheduled for 31 October

The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) is conducting culinary competitions for the 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026, bringing together chefs across 12 Master Chef categories to demonstrate their technical skills, creativity and professional expertise. Competitions held from 21 to 23 October at Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi, have covered a range of culinary disciplines. The remaining contests, featuring Master Chef Baker and Master Chef International Confectionery, will take place on 26 October at the Institute of Bakery and Culinary Arts (IBCA), New Delhi.

Competitions Cover Indian and International Culinary Disciplines

Organised as part of ICF’s annual celebration of the culinary profession around International Chefs Day, the competitions give chefs an opportunity to benchmark their skills, exchange knowledge with peers and demonstrate their abilities against established professional standards.

The 12 categories span Indian and international cuisines, Indian sweets, kebabs, baking, international confectionery, butchery, fruit and vegetable carving, and student chef competitions.

The contests held at Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute have included Master Chef North Indian Cuisine, Master Chef Indian Sweets, Master Chef International Cuisine, Master Chef Oriental Cuisine, Master Chef Butcher, Master Chef Kebabs, Master Chef South/East/West Indian Cuisine, Vegetable Carving, and Student Chef of the Year – Male and Student Chef of the Year – Female.

The remaining competitions at IBCA on 26 October will feature Master Chef International Confectionery and Master Chef Baker.

Professional Jury Evaluates Technical Skills and Presentation

Participants are being assessed by a panel of professional chefs led by Chef Rajeev Janveja, Chief of Jury. The evaluation covers personal and workstation hygiene, food wastage, mise-en-place, visual appeal, culinary skills, and the taste and texture of the main dish and its accompaniments.

These parameters provide a structured framework for assessing participants’ technical proficiency, discipline, presentation and craftsmanship.

Chef Davinder Kumar, President, Indian Culinary Forum, said, “Culinary competitions offer chefs an opportunity to put their skills to the test, demonstrate their creativity and benchmark their work against professional standards. The ₹20,000 cash prize for winners in the Master Chef categories recognises the effort, preparation and expertise that go into competing at this level.”

Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary, Indian Culinary Forum, said, “A strong culinary professional combines technical knowledge with precision, hygiene and sound judgement. The judging process considers the entire preparation, from mise-en-place and handling of ingredients to the final presentation, taste and texture. These standards are especially valuable for young chefs as they develop the discipline required in professional kitchens.”

Six Top Chef Awards to Recognise Professional Achievements

The culinary competitions form part of the wider 23rd Annual Chef Awards, which recognise practical culinary skills and professional accomplishments. The six Top Chef Awards are the Lifetime Achievement Award, Golden Hat Chef Award, Silver Hat Chef Award, Academic Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year and Shri Anil Bhandari Memorial – Chef of the Year.

Winners across all categories will be announced and honoured at the 23rd Annual Chef Awards Ceremony and Gala Night with Gourmet Dinner on 31 October 2026 at Le Méridien, New Delhi.

14th Knowledge Summit to Bring Hospitality Professionals Together

The event will also include the 14th Knowledge Summit, bringing chefs and hospitality industry experts together to exchange ideas and discuss emerging trends, challenges and developments shaping the culinary sector. The Summit will provide a platform for knowledge-sharing and industry dialogue alongside the competitions and awards.