Udaipur, 16th October — Culinary Culture, India’s leading culinary platform, is thrilled to announce the third edition of FoodSuperstars – India’s Top 30 Chefs, presented by Zoya. This prestigious awards platform is dedicated to celebrating the culinary artists who bring flavor, innovation, and passion to India’s dynamic food scene. This year, the event will take place in the enchanting city of Udaipur on 21st October 2024, bringing together the nation’s top chefs to honor creativity, innovation, and excellence in Indian gastronomy.
Following last year’s successful event in Goa, where Chef Regi Mathew from Chennai claimed the top spot, the 2024 edition promises to be even more exciting. With a lineup of chefs who have defined and shaped modern Indian cuisine, FoodSuperstars remains the first and only awards platform that directly celebrates chefs, independent of their restaurant affiliations.
In addition to honoring the Top 30 Chefs, the event will also present Special Awards in categories like Pastry, Sustainability and to a Young Chef and Chef Legend. Previous No. 1 trailblazers, like Regi Mathew, who now joins Manish Mehrotra in the Hall of Fame, will also be recognized, further highlighting their lasting influence on the culinary landscape.
Supported by partners such as Zoya, Veeba, Bisleri Vedica, and Fratelli, FoodSuperstars is the only awards platform that travels to various cities across India, offering unique opportunities for the country’s top culinary talent to gather in fresh and inspiring settings. After previous collaborations with leading Indian designers like Raghavendra Rathore and Anita Dongre, the platform has now partnered with Tarun Tahiliani and his label TASVA, which will honor each of the winning chefs with bespoke scarves at the ceremony.
What sets FoodSuperstars apart is that the recognition is given to the chefs themselves, not the restaurants they work for. Should a chef change establishments, the award remains with them, symbolizing their individual excellence. In a first for India, the rankings are determined without any form of external influence or commercial considerations—no advertisements from hotels or restaurants are accepted.
The selection process for FoodSuperstars is rigorous, ensuring that only the most deserving chefs make it to the final list. A team of over 40 FoodHunters travels across the country to identify and nominate promising culinary talents. Each nomination is supported by a detailed rationale and thoroughly debated before the final list is presented to Culinary Culture’s Secret Jury, composed of the country’s top culinary experts, led by Vir Sanghvi, Chairman of Culinary Culture. The names of the winning chefs are kept confidential until the awards ceremony, maintaining the excitement and integrity of the event.
Both Indian and expatriate chefs working in India are eligible for consideration. The only criterion is that they must be actively cooking in a restaurant, hotel, delivery service, or catering kitchen within the country during the period of consideration.
Vir Sanghvi, Chairman, Culinary Culture, says, “While many platforms recognize restaurants, FoodSuperstars is the first to put chefs in the spotlight, celebrating their creativity, dedication, and passion. These are the true artists behind India’s most unforgettable dining experiences, and we are honored to recognize their contributions to the culinary world. Udaipur, with its rich culinary heritage and stunning backdrop, is the perfect venue for this celebration of gastronomic excellence. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support from our partners such as Zoya Gin from the ABDL, Veeba, Fratelli Wines and Bisleri Vedica.”
Bikram Basu, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, ABDL adds, “It’s just perfect for ZOYA Gin to collaborate with FoodSuperstars 2024, as the superbly curated event and awards embodies creation, innovation and a representation of premium culinary artistes. The uniqueness of ZOYA Special Batch Gin beautifully elevates the cocktails and dining experience.”
Last year’s No. 1 Chef, Regi Mathew, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Being named India’s No. 1 Chef was an incredibly humbling experience. FoodSuperstars is a platform that truly honors chefs for their contributions and inspires us to keep pushing boundaries in the kitchen. I’m eager to see how this year’s edition brings together the best culinary talents from across India.”
The third edition of FoodSuperstars promises to be a spectacular two-day celebration of food, creativity, and talent in Udaipur—a night where India’s finest chefs come together to create unforgettable memories.
