The International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, marked a historic milestone as it celebrated its 20th Foundation Day and 40th Bi-Annual Convocation, held at Holiday Inn, Aerocity, New Delhi.
The event commemorated two decades of excellence in professional culinary education and brought together eminent industry leaders, chefs, educators, alumni, and students to honour the graduating 40th Batch of aspiring chefs.
Dignitaries Grace the Occasion
The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Dr Pushpesh Pant, Padma Shri awardee and one of India’s most respected culinary historians, who lauded IICA for its pivotal role in shaping India’s culinary education landscape. Chef Davinder Kumar, Vice President – F&B Production and Executive Chef at Le Meridien, New Delhi, President of the Indian Culinary Forum and an industry icon with over five decades of experience, attended as Guest of Honour, Vikrant Batra, Co-Founder of Café Delhi Heights, one of India’s fastest-expanding restaurant chains, joined as Distinguished Guest and Eminent Speaker.
All the dignitaries congratulated the graduating batch and commended IICA’s continued efforts in nurturing future-ready chefs who blend skill, innovation, and cultural understanding.
Panel Discussion: Driving Excellence in Culinary Careers
A major highlight of the event was the panel discussion on “Creating Excellence in Employment and Entrepreneurship at Culinary Institutes with Industry Participation,” moderated by Chef Virender Singh Datta, Founder & Chairman, IICA. The panel featured:
- Chef Suman Sharma (Corporate Chef, Tonino Restaurant)
- Chef Sudhir Sibal (Board Member, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations – IFCA)
- Chef Dhruv Oberoi (Executive Chef, Olive Kitchen & Bar)
- Chef Om Nayak (Co-Founder, The Pasta Bowl Company)
- Rocky Mohan (Co-Founder, Chefs’ Pin)
The engaging discussion underscored the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and focused skill-building as the cornerstones of professional success. Panelists shared insights on how strong industry-academia collaboration can drive innovation, bridge the skill gap, and nurture a culture of entrepreneurship and self-reliance among aspiring chefs, empowering them to shape India’s evolving culinary landscape.
Global Collaborations and Opportunities
The convocation also featured an address by Smriti Sharma, Program Manager – South Asia Education, Austrade, who shared insights on India-Australia collaborations in skill development and the expanding global opportunities for young culinary professionals. She highlighted the unique association between IICA and BSI Learning, Australia, which enables students studying at IICA to earn internationally recognised Australian Qualifications.
Messages from Leadership
Speaking at the ceremony, Chef Virender S. Datta said: “The 40th Convocation and our 20th Foundation Day mark not just an academic milestone, but two decades of building India’s culinary identity. Our students represent the passion, precision, and perseverance that define true chefs. At IICA, we take pride in fostering a culture where creativity meets discipline and where every graduate carries forward the spirit of culinary excellence and integrity.”
Arjun S. Datta, COO & Managing Director, IICA, said: “Reaching our 40th Convocation and completing twenty years is a testament to the vision and teamwork that have driven IICA since its inception. Our focus remains on creating strong pathways for both employment and entrepreneurship — equipping graduates with real-world skills, mentorship, and international exposure to succeed globally and innovate locally.”
Honouring Excellence: Awards and Recognitions
The event celebrated individual achievements and long-standing contributions across the IICA community:
- Student of the Year Awards:
- Avnee Garera (PHM, 2024) – Divya Jyoti Award and IICA Scholarship worth ₹45,000
- Amritpreet Singh (ADCA, 2023) – Vivek Singh Dutta Award with cash prize of ₹25,000 each
- Mister Tikku Star Alumnus Award:
- Chef Ashish Verma (ADCA, 2013), Executive Chef at Masala Synergy
- Chef Shivani Vashisht (Bakery, 2019), Baking Coach and Consultant – cash prize ₹11,000 each
- Pillars of Strength Award:
- Presented to four distinguished faculty members led by Chef Sumit Gupta, Executive Chef, IICA, for 16 years of dedicated service
- Recognition Award:
- Lipla Negi, senior journalist and editor, for her invaluable contribution to the hospitality industry
Celebrating Milestones: Newsletter and Cake
As part of the celebration, the institute unveiled the 6th edition of its newsletter, ‘IICAOnics,’ highlighting academic achievements, industry collaborations, and student success stories. The function concluded with the cutting of a celebration cake specially prepared by the IICA team, marking a memorable milestone in the institute’s journey.
Partners Supporting Culinary Excellence
The event was supported by:
- Principal Sponsor: Carna Medical Database Pvt. Ltd. (in association with Tsukuba and House)
- Knowledge Partner: KIC Hotel and Restaurant Equipment Manufacturer
- Gifting Partner: MainDish.in
- Rewarding Excellence Partner: Mister Tikku
Their support reflected IICA’s continued collaboration with industry stakeholders and its focus on fostering excellence in culinary education.
