'Food Ambassadors' lauded for spreading Indian cuisine globally

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) It was an occasion to honour cultural ambassadors of a different kind! Culinary artists, or Chefs in common parlance, from all over the country who have, over the years, made an immense contribution towards propagating Indian cultural traditions and its customs across the Globe by satiating appetites and taste buds of foreign tourists and heads of state visiting India, through the wide range of delicacies representing Indian cuisine, were honoured at a special function here last night.

Recognising the skills of these professionals and their contribution to tourism and society at large were a host of 'Chef Awards', presented to the best in the field by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni, on the occasion of International Chefs Day yesterday.

Present to laud the achievements of these chefs at the event, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with the Indian Culinary Forum and the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, were host of dignitaries including eminent food critic Vir Sanghvi, president of the PHDCCI Sushma Berlia, president of the IFCA Manjit S Gill and president of the ICF and Head Chef at the Le Meridien Davender Kumar.

Among the various category of awards presented at the event were the 'Golden Hat Chef award', 'Chef of the Year Award', 'Lady Chef of the Year Award', 'Master Chef International Cuisine Award', 'Master Chef Orientel Cuisine Award', 'Master Chef North Indian Cuisine Award', 'Master Chef South Indian Cuisine Award', 'Master Chefs Kebabs Award', 'Master Chef Indian Sweets Award', 'Master Chef International Confectionery Award', 'Master Baker Award', 'Kitchen Artist Award' and 'Best food Critics Award'.

Among some recipients of the awards were Chef Mahesh Kumar of the Le Meridien in Jaipur who bagged the Chef of the Year Award, Chef Ritu Dalmia who won the jury award for Lady Chef of the Year and Chef M S Gupta of the ITC Maurya Sheraton who won the Golden Hat Chef Award.

Another notable awardee was eminent food critic Sabina Saigal Saikia of the Times of India bagging the jury award for Best food Critic.

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