From stalwarts like Rohit Khattar, AD Singh, Rocky Mohan, Zorawar Kalra, RJ Khurafati Nitin, Rocky Singh, and Mayur Sharma, to culinary leaders such as Chef Manisha Bhasin, Chef Manish Mehrotra, Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ajay Chopra,  Chef Saby Gorai amongst others, the gathering reflected the depth and diversity of Delhi NCR’s food culture.

What sets The Big F Awards apart is its uncompromising commitment to fairness. The honours are not influenced by sponsorships or lobbying. Each year, an independent jury visits nominated restaurants, experiences their food, and casts a single, non-revisable vote. Winners are revealed only on the night of the awards, ensuring transparency and keeping the suspense intact till the very end.

The 2025 jury featured some of the most respected names in the culinary and hospitality world: Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Sameer Bawa, RJ Khurafati Nitin, Chef Nita Mehta, Rocky Singh, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Diwan Gautam Anand, and host Pawan Soni himself.

“The Big F Awards have always stood for honest recognition,” said Pawan Soni during his address. “This gathering reflects the incredible depth of talent, passion, and creativity that defines Delhi NCR’s dining culture. We celebrated chefs who preserve heritage with pride, visionaries who are redefining how we experience food, and restaurants that have earned trust through years of consistency. Awards matter only when they are deserved, not when they are bought, and last night was about applauding the people who bring joy, comfort, and inspiration to our lives through food.”

The evening recognised some of the most inspiring names in the industry. Rohit Khattar was honoured with the Culinary Icon Award. Varun Tuli was named Best Restaurateur and Sahil Sambhi received the award for Best Nightlife Entrepreneur. The legendary Bukhara at ITC Maurya joined the Hall of Fame, where it will be recognised each year but will no longer compete in the awards.

The ceremony wasn’t only about competition. It was also a night of meaningful conversations, reunions, and collaborations. Guests enjoyed a specially curated menu by the Le Meridien team that added to the flavour of the celebration. The winners represented every facet of the dining landscape, from boutique spaces to landmark establishments, showing how Delhi NCR continues to evolve as a culinary powerhouse.

Since its inception in 2014, The Big F Awards has grown into one of the capital’s most authentic platforms for recognition, dialogue, and exchange. The 2025 edition carried this legacy forward, with conversations spilling beyond the stage and sparking collaborations that promise to shape the future of dining in the region.

For the many who gathered, the night was more than an awards ceremony. It was a celebration of food, community, and the people who make dining in Delhi NCR unforgettable.

The post The Big F Awards 2025 celebrates Delhi NCR’s culinary icons at its 12th edition appeared first on Business of Food.

The awards night brought together the who’s who of the baking industry, with an illustrious lineup of celebrity chefs and industry stalwarts to honour excellence and innovation in the world of bakery, patisserie, and chocolate. Among the distinguished attendees were Chef Ajay Chopra, Rakhee Vaswani, Sanjana Patel, Chef Vinesh Johny, Rohit Sangwan, Tejasvi Chandela, Zeba Kohli, and many more, making the evening a true celebration of talent, creativity, and craftsmanship in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Top 10 Chain Bakeries and Top 10 Standalone Bakeries in India, who travelled from across the country to receive their laurels. This segment celebrated brands and entrepreneurs who have set benchmarks in quality, innovation, and customer experience. The winners list includes:

• West Region: Ribbons & Balloons, Hangout, O Cakes, Cakes, Merwan’s, Atul Bakery
• North Region: Brown Sugar, Maxim, Donald Pastry Shop, Bakingo
• South Region: Just Bakes, Swiss Castle, Café Niloufer, Cake Square
• East Region: Go Cool, Danbro, Dough As You Like, Kreamz

Speaking on the occasion, Pankaj Chaturvedi, Managing Director, Rich Products India, MENA & Turkey, said: “At Rich’s, we have always believed in empowering the bakery and patisserie community with world-class ingredients and solutions. These awards are a tribute to the incredible talent, creativity, and passion that drive India’s baking industry forward. We are proud to celebrate these trailblazers who are setting new benchmarks of excellence.”

The awards night not only celebrated industry leaders but also created a networking platform for chefs, chocolatiers, and bakery entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and inspire innovation in the ever-evolving bakery and confectionery landscape.

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The workshop provided IICA students with a remarkable opportunity to delve into the rich culinary traditions and exceptional ingredients of the European Union, through immersive hands-on experiences and engaging live demonstrations. 

Chef Chopra created two exquisite fusion dishes that not only delighted the students but also sparked their inspiration and excitement to recreate the experience in their own culinary pursuits. 

• Creamy Honey Roasted Ham on Baguette Crostini 
• Mixed Berry Salad with Balsamic Dressing & Danablu Cheese 

 The event was a rich, multi-sensory experience that celebrated the safety, sustainability, authenticity, and the quality of European ingredients. Through fusion cuisine and storytelling, students explored what makes these ingredients truly special, including those marked with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) labels, which guarantee that the ingredients come from specific regions in Europe and are made using traditional methods. The session sparked engaging conversations about origin, traceability, and the unique stories behind every product.  

Students also had the chance to: 

• Present their own fusion appetisers to Chef Chopra 
• Participate in a blind tasting showcasing premium European ingredients 
• Engage in an open dialogue on culinary innovation and emerging global food trends 

Chef Ajay Chopra, Campaign ambassador for EU’s More than food campaign in India says, “Watching young chefs’ experiment with European ingredients and weave them into Indian flavours was truly inspiring. These ingredients, with their distinct quality, heritage, and rigorous standards, elevate traditional recipes by adding layers of complexity and authenticity. This fusion beautifully bridges cultures and unlocks exciting new possibilities for culinary innovation that honour and celebrate traditions.” 

Arjun S. Datta, Managing Director & COO, IICA, shared, “Workshops like these help our students bridge classroom knowledge with global culinary trends. Partnering with the European Union and welcoming Chef Ajay Chopra to our campus has been a true celebration of excellence in food, culture, and education.” 

The session concluded with one student receiving a special EU hamper filled with premium European ingredients, allowing them to experience the authentic flavours of Europe at home. 

This collaboration reinforces IICA’s commitment to fostering globally conscious culinary professionals and advancing the standards of international food education in India. 

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Chef Ajay Chopra, the campaign ambassador, inaugurated the pavilion and led an exclusive tasting session featuring innovative dishes that combined European ingredients with Indian flavors. Signature creations like Sea Salt and Gouda Cookies with Tomato Jam and Chorizo & Mixed Mushroom Spring Rolls with Paprika Grapes Chutney celebrated the fusion of culinary traditions. Live cooking demonstrations and a panel discussion on ‘Decoding the Global Indian Platter’ further explored the growing demand for European products in India.

Pawel Stachowiak, Counsellor for Trade and Economic Affairs, Delegation of the EU to India, emphasized the EU’s commitment to quality and tradition. “The EU is India’s largest trading partner, accounting for €124 billion in trade in 2023. Through the ‘More Than Food’ campaign, we aim to highlight the authenticity, safety, and sustainability of European products while fostering collaborations in the Indian market,” he stated.

The event underscored the EU’s dedication to strengthening culinary and trade ties with India, leveraging platforms like SIAL to showcase its premium offerings to Indian consumers.

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