Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Shekhawat highlights innovation in Indian cuisine
On January 19, 2025, the grand finale of the PHDCCI National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) 2025-26 was held in New Delhi.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat spoke about how rapid urbanization and changing eating habits give Indian chefs a special chance to create new, healthy, and easy-to-eat foods based on traditional Indian knowledge.
The competition had teams from all over India, and the winner was the Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts from Pune.
Other teams from Maharashtra and Delhi also won prizes.
The event was organized by PHDCCI along with the Ministry of Tourism and other groups.
It was a big celebration of India’s food culture and a way to support young chefs.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the opportunity for Indian chefs to innovate due to urbanization and changing consumption patterns.
The Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts, Pune, won the PHDCCI National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) 2025-26 grand finale.
Teams from Maharashtra State IHMCT and IHM Pusa, New Delhi, were declared the first and second runners-up, respectively.
The award for the Best Bhaja Dish was given to the team from Chef’s Kitchen Institute of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management, Kolhapur.
The competition was organized by PHDCCI in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), and Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC).
- Who
- Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, young chefs from various hospitality institutions
- What
- PHDCCI National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) 2025-26 grand finale
- When
- January 19, 2025
- Where
- IHM, Pusa, New Delhi
- Why
- To celebrate India’s rich gastronomic heritage and provide a platform for young chefs to showcase their skills
- Event
- PHDCCI National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) 2025-26
- Winner
- Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts, Pune
- First Runner-up
- Maharashtra State IHMCT
- Second Runner-up
- IHM Pusa, New Delhi
- Best Bhaja Dish
- Chef’s Kitchen Institute of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management, Kolhapur
- Organizers
- PHDCCI, Ministry of Tourism, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC)
- Date
- January 19, 2025
- Location
- IHM, Pusa, New Delhi