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India’s Culinary Stars Shine at NDTV Food Awards 2026

Newsmantra — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:10:36 +0000

Winners chosen by an eminent jury chaired by Vir Sanghvi

New Delhi, 16^th June 2026: The NDTV Food Awards 2026 celebrated some of the finest names in India’s food and hospitality industry, honouring chefs, restaurants, restaurateurs, institutions and professionals who are shaping the way India eats, discovers and experiences food.

The awards brought together the many worlds that define India’s food story today – iconic restaurants, celebrated chefs, ambitious new openings, regional excellence, contemporary dining spaces, landmark institutions and professionals whose work continues to raise the bar for the industry.

This year’s winners reflected the creativity, enterprise, imagination and depth that have made India one of the most exciting food destinations in the world. They also captured the growing confidence of Indian food – rooted in tradition, but increasingly contemporary, experimental and global in its ambition.

What gives the NDTV Food Awards their distinctive credibility is the integrity of the process. Every award was decided on merit alone, with the jury process kept independent of commercial considerations, partnerships or external influence.

For NDTV, this principle is fundamental. In a landscape where recognition must earn its credibility, the NDTV Food Awards have been built on merit, discernment and trust. Commercial partnerships and event associations have remained entirely separate from the jury process and award decisions.

Over the years, the NDTV Food Awards have become an important platform for recognising the people and places that are shaping India’s food culture with originality, consistency and craft. The awards celebrate excellence across the industry while keeping the focus firmly on contribution, credibility and the quality of work.

NDTV has also been privileged to chronicle India’s changing relationship with food through iconic shows and formats such as Zaika India Ka, anchored by Vinod Dua, Highway On My Plate, Café Maria, Gourmet Central and many others. The NDTV Food Awards are an extension of that journey.

The NDTV Food Awards 2026 were adjudicated by an eminent jury chaired by Vir Sanghvi. The jury included Sourish Bhattacharyya, Asma Khan, Anindya Sundar Basu, Dr. Shabnam Banu, Ananya Banerjee, Marryam H Reshii, Kurush Dalal and Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi.

Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, said: ‘India’s food landscape is going through a remarkable moment of creativity, confidence and reinvention. The NDTV Food Awards celebrate the people and places that are adding depth, imagination and distinction to this journey. This year’s winners represent the very best of craft, originality and enterprise across the industry. For us, credibility is non-negotiable. These awards cannot be bought. They stand for merit, integrity and trust. At NDTV, we are proud to recognise the chefs, restaurants and institutions that continue to make India’s food story richer and more exciting.’

Vir Sanghvi, Jury Chair, NDTV Food Awards, added: ‘The winners of the NDTV Food Awards 2026 capture the remarkable diversity and ambition of India’s food culture. They reflect excellence, originality, consistency and a deep respect for craft. Together, they represent the richness of India’s culinary landscape and the exciting direction in which it is moving.’

The winners of the NDTV Food Awards 2026 represented the full breadth of India’s food and hospitality landscape.

Baoshuan at The Oberoi New Delhi was named Best Chinese Restaurant of the Year, while Izumi, Goa, won Best Japanese Restaurant of the Year. Seefah, Mumbai, was recognised as Best Asian Restaurant of the Year.

In the Indian restaurant categories, Chor Bizarre, Delhi, was named Best Indian Restaurant of the Year for North Indian cuisine, while Karavalli, Bengaluru, won Best Indian Restaurant of the Year for South Indian cuisine. Ethnic Table, Dimapur, was recognised as Best Indian Restaurant of the Year in the Regional category, and Sienna, Kolkata, was named Best Indian Restaurant of the Year in the Modern category.

Avartana at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, was named Most Innovative Indian Restaurant of the Year.

Americano, Mumbai, was named Best Italian Restaurant of the Year, while The Table, Mumbai, won Best European Restaurant of the Year. Nisaba by Chef Manish Mehrotra was recognised as Best Opening of the Year. Paris My Love, Delhi, won Best Bakery & Patisserie of the Year, and The Qube at The Leela Palace, New Delhi was named Best All-Day Dining Restaurant of the Year.

The awards also honoured India’s much-loved food institutions. Aminia, Kolkata, was named Historic Restaurant of India, while Bukhara at ITC Maurya, Delhi, received the honour of Legendary Restaurant of India.

Among individual honours, Mirelle Pingfu of Masque was named F&B Professional of the Year. Papa’s, Mumbai, won Best Restaurant of the Year. Himanshu Saini was recognised as Chef of the Year – International, Doma Wang was named Best Restaurateur of the Year, and Chef Manu Chandra was honoured as Chef of the Year.

The Outstanding Contribution to Indian Food honours went to Chef Kunal Kapur, recognising his influence on the way Indian food is celebrated, interpreted and taken to the world.

As India’s food culture continues to evolve with new ideas, deeper regional pride and a growing appetite for originality, the NDTV Food Awards 2026 celebrated the people and places giving this movement its strongest expression.

NDTV Food Awards 2026 Winner list:

Best Chinese Restaurant of the Year: Baoshuan, The Oberoi, New Delhi
Best European Restaurant of the Year: The Table, Mumbai
Best Asian Restaurant of the Year: Seefah, Mumbai
Best Italian Restaurant of the Year: Americano, Mumbai
Best Japanese Restaurant of the Year: Izumi, Goa
Best Indian Restaurant of the Year (North Indian): Chor Bizarre, Delhi
Best Indian Restaurant of the Year (South Indian): Karavalli, Bengaluru
Best Indian Restaurant of the Year (Regional): Ethnic Table, Dimapur
Best Indian Restaurant of the Year (Modern): Sienna, Kolkata
Best Opening of the Year: Nisaba by Chef Manish Mehrotra
Best Bakery & Patisserie of the Year: Paris My Love, Delhi
Best All-Day Dining of the Year: The Qube, Hotel Leela, New Delhi
Most Innovative Indian Restaurant of the Year: Avartana, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai
Historic Restaurant of India: Aminia, Kolkata
Legendary Restaurant of India: Bukhara, ITC Maurya, Delhi
F&B Professional of the Year: Mirelle Pingfu, Masque
Best Restaurant of the Year: Papa’s, Mumbai
Chef of the Year (International): Chef Himanshu Saini
Best Restaurateur of the Year: Doma Wang
Outstanding Contribution to Indian Food: Chef Kunal Kapur
Chef of the Year: Chef Manu Chandra

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The European Union adds an EU Tadka to Indian flavours with the launch of an all-new cookbook with Chef Ajay Chopra and Chef Guntas Sethi

Newsmantra — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:13:46 +0000

The cookbook was unveiled at Shared Tables, Shared Stories, an immersive culinary experience hosted at The Oberoi, New Delhi.

National, 11th June 2026: The European Union’s More Than Food campaign officially launched ’A Taste of Home with EU Tadka‘, a cookbook celebrating the reinterpretation of familiar Indian flavours using premium European ingredients. The cookbook was launched through Shared Tables, Shared Stories, an immersive culinary and storytelling-led gastronomic experience curated by campaign ambassadors Chef Ajay Chopra and Chef Guntas Sethi. Held at The Oberoi, New Delhi, the event brought together celebrated Indian chefs including Chef Rakhee Vaswani and Chef Sougata Ghosh, who also feature in the cookbook.

Rooted in the EU’s pillars of quality, authenticity, sustainability, and safety, the cookbook showcases how premium European ingredients can elevate familiar Indian flavours while honouring heritage and craftsmanship. Adding to this, EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) labels highlighted in the cookbook, give consumers a verifiable guarantee of authenticity and geographic origin. Ingredients featured in the cookbook such as Gouda Holland PGI from the Netherlands and Kalamata Olives PDO from Greece reflect this commitment to authenticity and traceability, while other prominent European ingredients including Shiitake Mushrooms from France, and Raspberries from Italy, add richness, consistency, and versatility to Indian-inspired culinary creations.

The cookbook features recipes and culinary interpretations from leading chefs across India, including EU More Than Food Campaign Ambassadors Chef Ajay Chopra, Chef Guntas Sethi along with Chef Neha Deepak Shah, Chef Rakhee Vaswani, Chef Manuel Olveira, Chef Nehal Karkera, Chef Sougata Ghosh, Chef Natasha Gandhi, Chef Chinu Vaze, each bringing their own perspective on blending European ingredients with Indian flavours.

The launch event brought the cookbook to life through curated pairings, conversations, and a specially designed four-course menu conceptualized by Chef Ajay Chopra and Chef Guntas Sethi. Each dish reflected the campaign’s larger narrative of cultural exchange and showcased how European ingredients across dairy, olive oils, fresh produce, and more can seamlessly complement Indian-inspired culinary creations.

Speaking on the cookbook launch, Chef Ajay Chopra said, “The launch of ‘A Taste of Home with EU Tadka’ under the European Union’s ‘More Than Food’ campaign in India is a wonderful reflection of how European ingredients can seamlessly find relevance within Indian culinary traditions while also spotlighting the authenticity and craftsmanship behind them. One of my favourite creations from the cookbook was the Apricot & Nectarine Chaat, because it beautifully brought together familiar Indian flavours with premium European ingredients in a fresh, contemporary way. The use of Chania Kritis Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is a PGI from Greece, added a beautiful depth, smoothness, and fruity finish to the dish, elevating the overall flavour profile while staying true to the spirit of the recipe.”

Adding to this, Chef Guntas Sethi said, “What makes ‘A Taste of Home with EU Tadka’, truly special is how it celebrates the shared language of food by bringing together European quality ingredients and Indian culinary creativity in an accessible and relatable way. The Chikki Fudge Cake was especially close to my heart as it combined comfort, indulgence, and craftsmanship in every bite. Ingredients such as Butter from France, Whipping Cream from Denmark, and Dark Chocolate from Belgium brought richness, texture, and balance to the dessert, showcasing how high-quality European ingredients are truly More Than Food and can seamlessly enhance Indian-inspired creations.”

Bringing together leading voices from the food and beverage industry, the launch centered on exploring the creative interplay between Europe and India. Anchored in the campaign’s broader storytelling, the event brought the cookbook to life as a shared-table experience, where curated pairings and conversations highlighted how these ingredients can add depth, balance and refinement to familiar dishes. Guests experienced first-hand how products across dairy, meats, olive oils and fresh produce can be reimagined in ways that honour both tradition and craftsmanship. The intimate gathering featured a specially curated four-course menu conceptualized by Chef Ajay Chopra and Chef Guntas Sethi, where each dish narrated a unique story inspired by the cookbook. Through collaborations with chefs, creators, and culinary experts, the “More than Food” campaign in India continues to foster meaningful cultural exchange by using food as a medium to bring together traditions, craftsmanship, provenance, and shared culinary narratives from Europe and India.

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