Culinary Culture proudly concluded the fourth edition of FoodSuperstars – India’s Top 30 Chefs, presented by Godawan, on 26–27 September 2025 in Kolkata. Hosted by Vir Sanghvi, Chairman of Culinary Culture, this year’s edition marked a new milestone for India’s culinary community, unveiling for the first time the Next30 — extending the platform to celebrate 60 of the country’s greatest chefs.
The two-day celebration began with the announcement of chefs ranked 31–60, setting the stage for the dramatic live countdown of the Top 30 Chefs of India, revealed in descending order on the evening of 26 September. This expanded format showcased the depth and diversity of India’s gastronomic excellence, highlighting chefs from metropolitan hubs, regional centres, and emerging dining destinations. Supported by Fratelli Vineyards, Veeba and Bisleri Vedica, adding to the prestige of the evening, all chefs were presented with exclusive one-off scarves designed by India’s leading fashion duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, which they wore with pride as they took the stage.
The countdown then culminated in a new No. 1: Himanshu Saini, previously ranked No. 2, who took home the top honour for 2025. Himanshu Saini said: “To be recognised at such a prestigious ceremony, in the company of my mentors and peers, is a true honour. FoodSuperstars is a platform that will inspire the next generation of chefs to push harder and dream bigger. Indian cuisine today stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest, and I am proud to be a small part of that journey. Thank you to Culinary Culture for giving chefs this stage.”
Six Special Awards were also presented: Pastry Chef – Vinesh Johny, Sustainable Chef – Vanshika Bhatia, Young Chef – Madhav Dayal, Icon Chef – Surender Mohan, People’s Chef – Vicky Ratnani, and Legend Chef- JP Singh. The ceremony opened with Hussain Shahzad, last year’s No. 1, being inducted into the FoodSuperstars Hall of Fame, joining legends Manish Mehrotra and Regi Mathew.
Raaj Sanghvi, CEO of Culinary Culture, said: “This year, FoodSuperstars evolved into a truly national movement. Expanding to 60 chefs allowed us to celebrate a broader spectrum of talent, while WineSuperstars brought overdue recognition to another pillar of hospitality. Nearly 200 people flew into Kolkata for this landmark edition, and we are deeply grateful for the support of the F&B community and our partners — Godawan, Fratelli Wines, Veeba, and Vedica. Looking ahead, the platform is poised to grow even bigger as we continue our mission to transform India’s culinary culture.”
This year also saw the debut of WineSuperstars, an initiative in partnership with Fratelli Vineyards, celebrating India’s leading sommeliers and wine professionals. The inaugural list of the Top 10 Sommeliers was revealed on stage, with awards presented by Gaurav Sekhri (Managing Director, Fratelli Vineyards) and Vir Sanghvi. The No. 1 spot went to Hriday Mehra of Masque, Mumbai, underscoring the growing artistry and influence of wine culture in India. In addition, a special Kapil Sekhri Legacy Award was announced — open to all wine enthusiasts in India and offering the winner a fully sponsored week-long immersion at some of Europe’s top wineries, providing invaluable global exposure and learning.
Vir Sanghvi, Chairman of Culinary Culture, said: “When we launched FoodSuperstars, the goal was simple: to shift the spotlight from restaurants to the chefs themselves. Four years later, the community this platform has built is unlike anything I’ve seen elsewhere in the world. India now has one of the strongest, most united chef communities globally and that is truly something to celebrate.”
Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer, Diageo India & Co-founder of Godawan, added:“We are proud to support FoodSuperstars in its mission to spotlight India’s culinary visionaries. Chefs are cultural ambassadors, carrying the story of India to the world through their craft. Partnering with this platform allows Godawan to celebrate that spirit of craftsmanship, innovation, and excellence in India — and to take the best of Indian craft and spirit to the world. Godawan itself is a story of conservation, of partnerships, and of India’s moment to shine globally.”
The selection process remains the most rigorous in the industry. Over 40 Culinary Culture FoodHunters travelled the length and breadth of the country to scout talent. Their recommendations were then evaluated by an independent Anonymous Jury, overseen by Vir Sanghvi. The final list remained strictly confidential until revealed live on stage, ensuring credibility, independence and anticipation.
Unlike other awards, FoodSuperstars maintains its integrity by not accepting any form of advertising or commercial consideration from restaurants or hotels. This groundbreaking approach ensures the platform’s independence and that winners are decided solely on merit. With its singular focus on chefs, FoodSuperstars stands alongside the world’s most respected culinary platforms as India’s own benchmark of excellence.
FoodSuperstars 2025 was more than an awards ceremony — it was a two-day festival of food, ideas, and community. The programme featured collaborative meals across the city and a full day of panel discussions under the banner of Culinary Conversations. Three thought-provoking panels explored themes such as The Evolution of India’s Wine Culture, Icons & Innovators: Taking India to the World, and What Makes a Food Superstar. Set against the backdrop of Kolkata’s rich culinary heritage during the Pujo festivities, India’s finest chefs came together to share ideas, strengthen bonds, and celebrate their collective craft.
*The full list of Top 30 Chefs, Special Award winners, and Next 30 honourees for 2025 is appended for reference in the attached creatives
