The International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, has been honoured with the 11th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Award 2025 for Excellence in Creating Employment & Entrepreneurship (Private). The award highlights IICA’s unwavering commitment to shaping careers, fostering entrepreneurship, and setting benchmarks in the culinary education landscape.
Inspiring ceremony and distinguished keynote speakers
The award ceremony took place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi with a special address by Dr Mumin Chen, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India, and a keynote by Raghav Gupta, Head of Education – India and Asia Pacific, OpenAI, on the role of artificial intelligence in shaping education and entrepreneurship.
The award was presented by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and received by Virender S. Datta, Founder & Chairman of IICA, and Arjun S. Datta, Managing Director & COO of IICA.
Judged by a distinguished Grand Jury
This year’s awards were judged by an eminent Grand Jury, including:
- Dr R. A. Mashelkar, Former Director General, CSIR
- Anand Sudarshan, Founder & Director, Sylvant Advisors
- Ayush Gupta, Director-HR, GAIL India
- Sudheesh Venkatesh, Chief People Officer, Azim Premji Foundation
Celebrating 20 years of excellence in culinary education
“This award is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, and partners. As we mark 20 years of IICA’s journey, it reflects our enduring mission to build careers, shape futures, and lead with excellence in the culinary world,” said Virender S. Datta, Founder & Chairman of IICA.
Standing out amidst strong competition
The Excellence in Creating Employment & Entrepreneurship (Private) category saw strong competition, yet IICA’s recognition highlights its exceptional efforts and lasting impact in culinary and pastry education.
“At IICA, our focus has always been on creating meaningful opportunities for aspiring chefs and culinary entrepreneurs. This recognition by FICCI reinforces our commitment to combining innovation, skill development, and global standards to shape the next generation of culinary leaders,” said Arjun S. Datta, Managing Director & COO.
Looking ahead: 40th Bi-Convocation Ceremony
Looking forward, IICA is set to host its 40th Bi-Convocation Ceremony on 1st November 2025 at Hotel Aerocity, New Delhi, celebrating the achievements of its graduating students and their culinary journeys.
