**Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), has launched the National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) to identify, mentor, and showcase culinary talent among final-year hospitality students in India. The initiative, themed "Celebrating Indian Culinary Heritage: Blending Tradition with Innovation," aims to preserve India's culinary traditions and promote Indian gastronomy on the global stage.
The NYCC will feature zonal competitions across India, culminating in a grand finale at IHM Pusa, New Delhi, in January 2026. The zonal round schedule is as follows: North Zone (August 6, 2025, AIHM Chandigarh), East Zone (September 18, 2025, IHM Kolkata), West Zone (November 2025, IHM Mumbai), and South Zone (December 18, 2025, IHM Kovalam).
In addition to the competition, career sensitization workshops will be conducted for Class 11 and 12 students at each zonal venue to address declining enrollment in hospitality education. The initiative is a collaborative effort with the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) and the Tourism Hospitality Skill Council (THSC).
Over 130 hospitality institutions are participating, with support from partners including Venus Industries, Nestl Professional, Wagh Bakri Tea Group, Cremica, and McCain Foods. Winners will receive cash prizes, internships, international exposure, and an award for the Best Sustainable Dish.
For more information, visit: https:phdccitourismhospitality.inupcomingeventsphdccinationalchefcompetitio. Contact: Sunil kumar Tiwari, tourism4pibatgmaildotcom.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry collaborating with PHDCCI on the National Young Chef Competition.
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI): An industry association that launched the National Young Chef Competition in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
National Young Chef Competition (NYCC): A nationwide competition to discover and showcase culinary talent among hospitality students.
New Delhi: The city in Delhi where the launch event (curtain raiser) for the National Young Chef Competition was held and the location of IHM Pusa, where the grand finale will occur.
Suman Billa: Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, who attended the NYCC launch as Chief Guest.
Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA): A collaborative partner with NYCC and THSC for the National Young Chef Competition.
Tourism Hospitality Skill Council (THSC): A collaborative partner with NYCC and IFCA for the National Young Chef Competition.
IHM Pusa, New Delhi: Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa, New Delhi, the venue for the grand finale of the National Young Chef Competition in January 2026.
Ministry of Tourism
PHDCCI Unveils National Young Chef Competition
to Spotlight India’s Culinary Heritage
Grand Curtain Raiser in New Delhi Marks Beginning
of Nationwide Talent Hunt to Blend Tradition with
Innovation
Posted On: 16 JUL 2025 11:07AM by PIB Delhi
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism,
Government of India, officially launched the National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) with a grand curtain
raiser event at PHD House, New Delhi. The initiative aims to discover, mentor, and showcase the finest
culinary talent among final-year hospitality students across the nation.
Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, Mr. Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary and Director General,
Ministry of Tourism, emphasized the need to preserve India’s fading culinary traditions. “Our culinary
heritage is built on cultural memory and regional techniques. We must reinforce these traditions and also
expand India’s footprint in the global fine dining space,” he said, urging young chefs to think creatively and
represent India with confidence on the international gastronomic stage.
NYCC, a collaborative effort with the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) and the Tourism &
Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), is themed “Celebrating Indian Culinary Heritage: Blending Tradition with
Innovation”. It features zonal competitions across India culminating in a grand finale at IHM Pusa, New
Delhi, in January 2026.
Zonal Round Schedule:• North Zone: 6 August 2025, AIHM Chandigarh
• East Zone: 18 September 2025, IHM Kolkata
• West Zone: November 2025, IHM Mumbai
• South Zone: 18 December 2025, IHM Kovalam
Apart from the main competition, NYCC will conduct career sensitization workshops for Class 11 and 12
students at each zonal venue, addressing declining enrolment in hospitality education and introducing students
to real-world culinary careers.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chair, Tourism Committee, PHDCCI, called NYCC a
“movement” that unites industry, education, and youth to celebrate Indian gastronomy. Dr. Chef Manjit Gill,
President, IFCA, added, “NYCC is not just a contest, but a cultural revival. It’s a call to preserve and
modernize India’s diverse food legacy.”
Other dignitaries present included Chef Sudhir Sibal, Chef Anil Grover, Mr. Rajan Bahadur (THSC), Prof.
Kamal Kant Pant (IHM Pusa), Mr. Amarjit Singh Ahuja (Le Meridien), and Ms. Shalini S Sharma of
PHDCCI, who presented the detailed roadmap of the competition.
With participation from over 130 hospitality institutions, the event is supported by leading partners including
Venus Industries, Nestlé Professional, Wagh Bakri Tea Group, Cremica, McCain Foods, and many others.
Winners will receive cash prizes, internships, international exposure, and a special award for the ‘Best
Sustainable Dish’.
For more information, visit:
https://phdccitourismhospitality.in/upcoming-events/phdcci-national-chef-competitio
PHDCCI NYCC Curtain Raiser
****
Sunil kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com(Release ID: 2145096)