Indian Culinary Forum announces 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026, with ₹20,000 cash prizes for Master Chef category winners and a renewed focus on professional development through the Knowledge Summit
The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) has announced the return of the 23rd Annual Chef Awards 2026, scheduled to be held on October 31, 2026, at Le Méridien, New Delhi. Organised as part of the celebrations surrounding International Chefs Day, the awards are widely regarded as one of India's most respected platforms for recognising culinary talent, craftsmanship and professional excellence.
Built on the philosophy of "from chefs, by chefs and for chefs", the annual event brings together chefs, culinary students, hospitality professionals and industry leaders from across the country, combining recognition, competition and knowledge-sharing under one roof.
For more than two decades, the Chef Awards have provided a platform for culinary professionals to showcase their skills, benchmark themselves against industry standards and gain national recognition. Over the years, the initiative has played a significant role in encouraging technical expertise, creativity, discipline and innovation within India's culinary community.
This year's edition will honour professionals across 18 categories, comprising six Top Chef Awards and 12 Master Chef categories. While the Top Chef Awards are determined through a nomination and jury process, the Master Chef categories require participants to compete in practical culinary challenges and trade tests designed to evaluate their skills under competitive conditions.
Adding a new dimension to the competition, the 2026 edition will introduce cash prizes of ₹20,000 for winners of the Master Chef categories, marking the first time prize money has been awarded in these segments. Participants will be judged on a range of criteria, including hygiene, mise-en-place, culinary techniques, presentation, wastage control, taste and texture, ensuring a transparent and uniform evaluation process.
Commenting on the announcement, Chef Davinder Kumar, President of the Indian Culinary Forum, said that the awards have always focused on celebrating the craft of chefs while providing opportunities for learning and professional growth. He noted that adding prize money gives chefs and culinary students another incentive to test their skills and compete at a national level.
Alongside the awards, the event will also host the 14th Knowledge Summit, bringing together leading chefs, hospitality professionals and industry experts to discuss emerging trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the culinary profession. The summit is expected to serve as a valuable platform for networking, learning and exchanging ideas within the hospitality ecosystem.
According to Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum, continuous learning and professional development remain critical for chefs at every stage of their careers. He emphasised that while the Master Chef competitions challenge technical skills, the Top Chef Awards recognise long-term contributions to the profession, and the Knowledge Summit brings the industry together for meaningful dialogue.
The six Top Chef Awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Golden Hat Chef Award, Silver Hat Chef Award, Academic Chef of the Year Award, Pastry Chef of the Year and the Shri Anil Bhandari Memorial Chef of the Year Award.
The 12 Master Chef categories cover a broad range of specialisations, including International Confectionery, Oriental Cuisine, North Indian Cuisine, South/East/West Indian Cuisine, Indian Sweets, Kebabs, International Cuisine, Baker, Vegetable Carving, Master Butcher, and the Student of the Year awards for male and female participants.
The celebrations will conclude with the Awards Ceremony and Gala Night, bringing together the country's culinary fraternity to honour outstanding achievements and celebrate excellence in the profession.
Founded in 1987, the ICF is a non-profit professional association dedicated to promoting culinary arts, nurturing young talent and strengthening India's reputation in global gastronomy.