The Western India Culinary Association (WICA) hosted a memorable celebration of culinary excellence, bringing together over 200 executive chefs from across Maharashtra, Delhi, Kolkata, Goa, Hyderabad and Chennai. The gathering served as a vibrant platform for culinary professionals to connect, exchange ideas, celebrate talent and recognise the contributions of individuals who continue to shape India’s dynamic hospitality and food service industry.

A highlight of the event was the celebration of India’s rich culinary heritage, with the dinner buffet featuring special regional cuisines from Maharashtra, including the distinctive flavours of Khandeshi, Koli and Malvani cuisine. The carefully curated spread showcased the diversity of Maharashtra’s food traditions, bringing authentic regional flavours to the forefront and offering guests a memorable gastronomic experience.

The evening also placed the spotlight on professional achievement and industry recognition through the WICA Awards, Student Pastry Championship powered by Delta awards, Nestle Young Star Chef Challenge awards and Unsung Hero Awards. These honours celebrated culinary excellence, encouraged innovation and recognised the dedication, skill and commitment of professionals across the hospitality sector.

The WICA Awards acknowledged outstanding contributions and achievements within the culinary fraternity. The Competition Awards recognised talent, creativity and technical expertise, highlighting the competitive spirit and passion that drive chefs to continually raise culinary standards. The Unsung Hero Awards paid tribute to the dedicated individuals whose tireless efforts behind the scenes play a vital role in ensuring smooth kitchen operations and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Together, the awards reflected WICA’s commitment to recognising excellence at every level of the profession.

Speaking on the occasion, Chef Pai, Treasurer of WICA, said, “An event like this is a celebration of our culinary fraternity, our shared passion for food and the people who make this industry special. With over 200 executive chefs coming together from different cities, we are witnessing the strength of our professional community. Through the WICA Awards, Student Competition Awards and Unsung Hero Awards, we aim to recognise excellence, encourage emerging talent and honour the dedicated professionals whose contributions often go unnoticed. Featuring Khandeshi, Koli and Malvani cuisine in our dinner buffet was also a wonderful way to celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Maharashtra and showcase the diversity of our regional food traditions.”

Chef Pai also announced that WICA will be celebrating its Silver Jubilee, 25th years in May 2027. He expressed his hope to mark this significant milestone with a grand celebration, bringing the Chef community together to commemorate 25 years of excellence and achievements.

The gathering reinforced the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and mutual recognition within the culinary profession. By bringing together experienced leaders and passionate professionals from different regions, WICA continued to strengthen its role as a platform for fostering professional growth, celebrating culinary innovation and preserving India’s diverse food culture.

The event concluded on a celebratory note, with participants sharing experiences, appreciating the award winners and reaffirming their commitment to excellence in the culinary and hospitality industry.

Partners

Presenting Partner: Delta Nutritives Pvt. Ltd; Powered by Partner: Nestle Professionals; Associate Partner: Fortune Gourmet Specialties Pvt Ltd; Bread Innovation Partner:Bakels India; Flat Bread Partner: Signature International Foods India Pvt Ltd; Food Innovation Partner: Biokraft Foods; Gift Partner: King Metal Works; Beverage Partners: Heineken; Uniforms Partner: Chefs Unlimited;

Co-Partners: Suvisudh Consumer Products LLP, Fagor Professionals, Zanuff Industries India Pvt. Ltd, EARTHLING CONSUMER PRODUCTS Pvt. Ltd; Media Partner: Bakerybiz, World Of Hospitality News, Better Kitchen, Chefs Arena & Hospitality Lexis

WICA Awards:

Chef Vernon Coelho – Lifetime Achievement Award – Chef Pavan Kapur

Delta Nutritives – Pastry Chef of the Year – Shrikant Dhanu, Executive Pastry Chef, Taj Sats

Chef Educator of the Year – Chef Kumar Nair, Principal of Rizvi College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Mumbai

Chef Entrepreneur of the Year – Chef Stany Philip Dabre, Founder O- Cakes

Lady Chef of the Year – Chef Juhi Kaur Makhija, Head Chef, Ibis Pune Viman Nagar

Young Chef Achiever – Chef Mihir Kane, Director of Culinary, Fairmont Mumbai & Roswyn A Morgans Original Hotel

Unsung Heroes Awards:

Chef Richard Saldanha, Chef De Cuisine, Fairmont Mumbai

Chef Sukumar Adak, Jr. Sous Chef, Roswyn, A Morgans Originals Hotel

Chef Cadian Menezes, Jr. Sous Chef, Sofitel Mumbai BKC

Chef Rahul Parker, Chef de Partie, Trident Nariman Point

Chef Avtar Singh, Senior Executive, Peshawri, ITC Maratha, Mumbai

Chef Ganesh Rasal, Demi Chef de Partie, Hotel Sahara Star

Chef Madan Bohra, Sous Chef, Novotel Mumbai International Airport

Chef Yusuf Qureshi, Master Indian Cuisine, Radisson Hotel Mumbai Andheri MIDC

Chef Anand Singh Bist, Pastry Chef, Radisson Blu Mumbai International Airport

Chef Yudhvir Singh, Chef de Partie, Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport

Chef Narendra Nambiar, Sous Chef, South Indian, The Leela Mumbai

Chef Nadeem Sonone, Sous Chef, The Lalit Mumbai

Chef Prabhu Saw, Chef de Partie, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

Chef Chandan Singh, Sous Chef, Hilton Mumbai International Airport

About WICA

The Western India Culinary Association (WICA) is committed to bringing culinary professionals together, promoting excellence in the food and hospitality industry, encouraging talent development and celebrating India’s rich culinary heritage.