NewzVille Desk
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in collaboration with Tourism Ministr, launched the National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) with a grand curtain raiser event at PHD House, New Delhi. The initiative aims to showcase the finest culinary talent among final-year hospitality students across the nation.
Chief Guest of the event, Suman Billa, 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.
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.”
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
Other dignitaries present included Chef Sudhir Sibal, Chef Anil Grover, Rajan Bahadur (THSC), Prof. Kamal Kant Pant (IHM Pusa), Amarjit Singh Ahuja (Le Meridien), and 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.
For more information log on to:
https://phdccitourismhospitality.in/upcoming-events/phdcci-national-chef-competitio
