IHM, Chennai and IHM, Bengaluru advance to the Grand Finale in January 2027

Bengaluru, 24^th September 2026: PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organized the South Zone round of ‘आँच’ – National Young Chef Competition 2.0 at the M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru, bringing together 15 teams from 7 institutes for a live culinary competition that showcased the richness of India’s regional cuisine through skill, creativity and innovation.

Following an intense contest, IHM, Chennai and IHM, Bengaluru emerged victorious and will represent the South Zone at the Grand Finale in January 2027. IHM, Hyderabad was declared the runner-up.

Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA); and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), the South Zone round carried forward the mission of ‘India on a Plate: Rediscovering Regional Cuisine’.

Spread over six months, the competition is travelling across the country through zonal rounds before culminating in the Grand Finale in January 2027.

The participating institutes in the South Zone round included Army Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Bengaluru; Asian Christian Culinary and Agricultural Science Institute, Hosur; Indian Culinary Academy, Bengaluru; Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Bengaluru; IHM Hyderabad; IHM Chennai; and M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru.

Each participating team prepared a traditional Indian meal comprising a bhaja, main dish, vegetable preparation, pulses/ lentils preparation, curd preparation, rice or bread and a sweet dish, within two and a half hours.

The jury for the South Zone round was chaired by Chef Anil Grover, Certified WorldChefs Judge and included Chef Ramasamy Selvaraju, Executive Chef, Taj Group of Hotels and Chef Vinod K. Bhati, Associate Director – Culinary. Chef Sudhir Sibal, Founding and Executive Board Member, IFCA, served as the Observer.

Sharing his thoughts on the competition, Chef Sibal remarked, “आँच provides a valuable platform for young culinary professionals to connect their formal training with the richness of India’s regional food traditions. The enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by the participants in the South Zone round reflect the growing interest among young chefs in understanding, preserving and presenting Indian cuisine. Such initiatives are important in creating greater industry exposure and career opportunities for emerging culinary talent.”

Commenting on the competition, Chef Grover said, “The South Zone round showcased strong culinary fundamentals, creativity and an appreciation of regional flavours. The participants demonstrated discipline, teamwork and confidence while working within the competition format. It was encouraging to see young chefs interpret Indian cuisine with both respect for tradition and a willingness to innovate.”

Prof. Kuldeep Kumar Raina, Vice Chancellor, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru, said, Indian cuisine is deeply rooted in our culture and continues to earn appreciation across the world, with its flavours finding a place in kitchens and hearts far beyond India. It was a privilege for M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences to host ‘आँच’ and provide a platform for young chefs to celebrate and showcase our rich culinary heritage.”

आँच – National Young Chef Competition 2.0 is open exclusively to final-year hospitality students across government, private, stand-alone institutions and university departments specializing in hospitality and hotel management. The initiative is designed to create a focused platform on Indian cuisine, highlighting its depth, diversity and techniques while connecting aspiring chefs with the industry for internships and career opportunities.

South Zone round of आँच – NYCC 2.0 was supported by industry partners including Tata Consumer Products, Tata Sampann, Veeba, Catch, Chefs Unlimited, Gokulam Grand Hotel & Spa, Bangalore, South India Chef’s Association (SICA) and Purchasing Professional Forum – India (PPFI).