ICF announces the grand 20th Annual Chef Awards

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANSlife) The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) is proud to unveil the much-anticipated 20th Annual Chef Awards, a momentous celebration of culinary brilliance, and the 11th Knowledge Summit, a gathering of industry luminaries for insightful discussions. This year, the culinary world's spotlight will shine brighter than ever before, illuminating the talents and expertise of culinary maestros. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on the scintillating evening of October 14 at The Ashok, New Delhi.

For two decades, the Chef Awards have showcased innovation, creativity, and unwavering dedication within the culinary realm. This year, we embark on a remarkable journey to honor not only extraordinary kitchen talent but also the enduring impact of the Chef Awards on the culinary landscape. A celebration of excellence and creativity, the Chef Awards stand as a testament to the mastery of culinary artisans across the nation. Since its 2003 inception, this illustrious event has evolved into an undisputed symbol of recognition, honoring culinary artistry while fostering knowledge exchange among industry luminaries.

Chef Davinder Kumar, President of the Indian Culinary Forum, shared his excitement, saying, "As we gather to celebrate the 20th edition of the Chef Awards, we reflect on the incredible journey that has unfolded over the past two decades. What started as a humble recognition has blossomed into a global phenomenon, igniting a passion for culinary excellence and uniting chefs from across the nation. Our awards don't just honor talent; they cultivate it, enriching our culinary landscape and promoting the rich heritage of Indian cuisine worldwide."

The grand affair is set to unfold in three captivating acts. First up is the Culinary Competitions, featuring over 150 skilled chefs showcasing their prowess across diverse categories such as Master Chef of the Year, Kebabs, Indian Patisserie, Indian Sweets, International Cuisine, North Indian Cuisine, Oriental Cuisine, Baker, South East & West, as well as Student Chef of the Year (Female) and Student Chef of the Year (Male). Following that is the Knowledge Summit, a decade in the making, bringing together hospitality magnates, educators, and critics for insightful discussions on industry matters, with this year's focus centered on the theme, Culinary Professionals-Tackling Global Hunger. Lastly, the event reaches its crescendo with the Chef Awards, a grand finale that celebrates and bestows recognition upon culinary excellence, embodying the pinnacle of gastronomic achievement.

Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum, expressed, "ICF's mission is a captivating journey that nurtures emerging talents with the latest culinary skills, fostering growth while sharing the vibrant essence of Indian cuisine worldwide. This transformative endeavor blends expertise and innovation, resonating across borders and cultures. Our vision not only sparks careers but also fuels the global spread of Indian flavors."

"In addition to the culinary competition, as is the tradition every year, there are seven special senior award categories presented through direct nomination. These include Lifetime Achievement, Golden Hat, Silver Hat, Academic Silver Hat, Pastry Chef of the Year, and Lady Chef of the Year," added Chef Saggar.

About Indian Culinary Forum: The Indian Culinary Forum is India’s association of Professional chefs of India. It was formed in New Delhi in 1987 as an exclusive non-profit-making organization, dedicated solely to the advancement of the culinary art of India. The Forum’s objective is to act as a link, a platform and an instrument for the enhancement and overall development of the national community of chefs. The World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS) is 110-nation fellowship comprising the world’s various professional chefs’ organization representing over 9 million professional chefs. The ICF has an international culinary focus in the staging of its various competitions, seminars, and events. The aims of the ICF, broadly, are:

To encourage and inspire junior chefs through training and competition
To enhance international, the culinary prestige to India
To encourage Indian nationals to consider a career within the hospitality industry
To promote Indian Cuisine globally
To help young chefs to hone culinary skills through training, workshops, and competition

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