HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
The 16thedition of Culinary Art India commenced at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, marking the beginning of a five-day celebration of culinary mastery. Hosted by the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) in partnership with ITPO and Hospitality First, the event witnessed a spectacular display of talent and innovation in various culinary disciplines.
The event, which takes place until March 11th, features over 600 chefs showcasing their culinary excellence under 18 categories, marking the largest participation in the event’s history. The culinary challenge at Culinary Art India 2024 is being judged by a distinguished panel of WACS-certified jury members from both India and abroad. This year’s competitions are being chaired by Chef Gautam Sethi, Cluster Executive Chef, Accor Hotels, Kata, Phuket, Thailand, with Chef Arvind Rai serving as the organizing secretary.
Day One of Culinary Art India featured a diverse array of competitions, captivating audiences with culinary creations that showcased the rich heritage and contemporary flair of Indian cuisine. With 91 chefs participating across six categories, the event celebrated culinary excellence. The gold winners for each category are Shakeel Ahmad, NG Asane Nancy, and Aditi Khare for 3-Tier Wedding Cake, Sumit Singh and Rabbi Khan for Authentic Indian Regional Cuisine, and Chinlop Lecha for Contemporary Sushi Platter. Over the next four days, approximately 520 chefs are set to compete in 12 categories, promising a grand celebration of India’s rich culinary heritage.
Day two of Culinary Art India featured a diverse array of competitions, captivating audiences with culinary creations that showcased the rich heritage and contemporary flair of Indian cuisine. With 155 chefs participating across five categories, the event celebrated culinary excellence. The gold winners for each category are Sanjeev Sagarwal and Yuthika Sharma for Artistic Pastry Showpiece, Vinod Singh Rawat for Artistic Bakery Showpiece, Oshien Kaur and Prashant Pachori for Petit Fours or Pralines, Over the three days, approximately 355 chefs are set to compete in 08 categories, promising a grand celebration of India’s rich culinary heritage.
Chef Davinder Kumar, President of the Indian Culinary Forum “This esteemed platform offers chefs a unique opportunity to exhibit their culinary prowess while striving to elevate their skills to international standards. Beyond mere competition, this experience fosters growth, providing invaluable exposure and a dynamic environment for chefs to learn and exchange culinary insights. Underlying our mission is a commitment to uniting the culinary community, enhancing the profession through educational initiatives, industry events, and the establishment of new benchmarks in hospitality.”
Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum, shared his excitement for Culinary Art India, stating,“Culinary Art India provides a unique platform for chefs to showcase their skills and creativity. It’s inspiring to see such a diverse range of talents come together to celebrate our culinary heritage. He further added, “Following last year’s overwhelming response for culinary theatre, we’re continuing this year with around 20 culinary theatre classes with renowned chefs sharing their expertise and teaching various dishes to both young chefs and the audience. This provides food lovers with the opportunity to learn and savor delicious dishes.”
