New Delhi, 10 September 2026: The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) is set to host the 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026 on 31 October 2026 at Le Méridien, New Delhi, bringing together chefs and culinary professionals from across the country as part of the celebrations around International Chefs Day. Built on the philosophy of “from chefs, by chefs and for chefs,” the awards bring together professional recognition, culinary competition and industry dialogue on one platform.
For more than two decades, the Chef Awards have provided chefs with a platform to compete, benchmark their skills, learn from fellow professionals and earn recognition, while encouraging technical excellence, creativity, discipline and craftsmanship. The platform also aims to inspire emerging talent and strengthen the standing of the culinary profession in India.
Nominations for the 2026 edition are currently open, with entries to be submitted by 20 September 2026. The awards will recognise culinary professionals across 18 categories, comprising six Top Chef Awards and 12 Master Chef categories. The Top Chef Awards follow a nomination process, with winners decided by the Grand Jury, while the Master Chef categories put participants through practical culinary competitions and trade tests.
The Master Chef competitions will place emphasis on culinary skills, creativity, presentation, hygiene, discipline and professional standards. Participants will be evaluated on parameters including hygiene, wastage, mise-en-place, visual appeal, culinary skills, taste and texture, with jury members assessing their performance against defined criteria. The judging process is designed to ensure a fair and uniform standard across the competitions. The 2026 edition introduces an additional incentive for Master Chef participants, with winners receiving a ₹20,000 cash prize for the first time. The initiative adds a new competitive dimension while recognising the preparation, skill and effort that participants bring to the competition.
Chef Davinder Kumar, President, Indian Culinary Forum, said, “The Chef Awards have always been about the chefs and their craft. Over the years, they have given professionals a platform to showcase their abilities, challenge themselves and learn from their peers. This year, with the introduction of prize money for the Master Chef categories, we are adding another incentive for chefs to compete and put their skills to the test. As we enter the 23rd edition, we invite chefs and culinary students from across the country to come forward and participate. Our philosophy remains simple: from chefs, by chefs and for chefs.”
The 2026 edition will also feature the 14th Knowledge Summit, bringing together hospitality industry experts and renowned chefs to exchange ideas and discuss emerging trends and issues shaping the culinary sector. The Summit will take place at the same venue ahead of the Awards Ceremony, creating a dedicated platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing across the hospitality and culinary community.
Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary, Indian Culinary Forum, said, “A chef’s growth is built through constant practice, learning and the willingness to keep raising one’s own standards. The Master Chef competitions give chefs an opportunity to put their skills to the test, while the Top Chef Awards acknowledge the experience and contribution built over the course of a career. The Knowledge Summit adds another important dimension by bringing the industry together to exchange ideas and discuss the future of the profession.”
The six Top Chef Awards will recognise professionals across the Lifetime Achievement Award, Golden Hat Chef Award, Silver Hat Chef Award, Academic Chef of the Year Award, Pastry Chef of the Year and Shri. Anil Bhandari Memorial – Chef of the Year Award. The categories have defined eligibility criteria based on professional experience, qualifications and relevant roles within the culinary or academic field.
The 12 Master Chef categories will cover Master Chef International Confectionary, Master Chef Oriental Cuisine, Master Chef North Indian Cuisine, Master Chef South/East/West Indian Cuisine, Master Chef Indian Sweets, Master Chef Kebabs, Master Chef International Cuisine, Master Chef Baker, Vegetable Carving, Master Butcher, Student of the Year Male and Student of the Year Female. The competitions range from specialist culinary disciplines to practical skill tests, including dedicated categories for young culinary talent.
The 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026 will culminate in the Awards Ceremony and Gala Night with Gourmet Dinner, bringing together the country’s culinary professionals for an evening celebrating the talent and achievements of chefs from across India.
Founded in 1987 in New Delhi, the Indian Culinary Forum is the professional association of chefs in India and was established as a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting culinary arts in the country. Its objectives include promoting and inspiring young chefs through training and competition, strengthening India’s culinary reputation internationally and encouraging careers in the hospitality industry.
