Young Chefs Are Torchbearers of India’s Culinary Heritage: Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts, Pune wins Grand Finale of PHDCCI National Young Chef Competition 2025–26

Key Highlights
- Event: Grand Finale of the PHDCCI National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) 2025–26 held at IHM Pusa, New Delhi.
- Winner: Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts and Nutritional Sciences, Pune.
- Runners-up:
-- 1st Runner-Up: Maharashtra State IHMCT, Pune
-- 2nd Runner-Up: IHM Pusa, New Delhi
- Special Award: Best Bhaja Dish → Chef’s Kitchen Institute of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management, Kolhapur.

Minister’s Remarks
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism and Culture, emphasized:
- “Indian cuisine is among our most powerful cultural assets and a vital pillar of tourism-led growth. Our young chefs are the torchbearers of this legacy.”
- He noted that rapid urbanisation and changing consumption patterns give Indian chefs opportunities to innovate with nutritionally balanced, ready-to-eat food solutions rooted in tradition.
- Platforms like NYCC nurture chefs who are globally confident yet deeply rooted in tradition.

Competition Scope
- Participants: 10 leading hospitality institutions from across India, showcasing a pan-India character.
- Format: Live cook-off preparing a traditional Bhojan (meal) with multiple components in 2.5 hours.
- Evaluation: Based on technique, authenticity, innovation, sustainability, and presentation.
- Partners: Ministry of Tourism, IFCA, THSC, and industry sponsors like Tata Consumer Products, Nestlé Professional, Hilton, McCain Foods, and others.

Vision Ahead
- NYCC is envisioned not just as a competition but as a national movement to restore pride in Indian cuisine.
- Plans to scale into a sustained national platform offering mentorship and industry integration.
- Strong industry support underscores confidence in India’s culinary talent pipeline.

This initiative positions young chefs as ambassadors of India’s culinary heritage, blending tradition with modern innovation.