New Delhi: 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.