Delhi Food Awards 2026

The fourth edition of the Delhi Food Awards was held on March 28, 2026, marking the most ambitious celebration of Delhi’s culinary heritage since the event's inception in 2018. The ceremony brought together over 300 guests including renowned chefs, legendary street food icons, food historians, and digital storytellers. Under the banner of "Community First, Always," the event celebrated the city's pluralism, honoring traditions ranging from Old Delhi’s Mughlai mastery to Buddhist and Sindhi culinary legacies.

Event Highlights & Cultural Showcases

Anubhav Sapra’s Opening

The founder of Delhi Food Walks reflected on the awards' growth from a street-level initiative to a comprehensive platform for the city's entire gastronomic landscape.

Legacy & Cinematic Tributes

The ceremony formally instituted the Vinod Dua Lifetime Achievement Award to honor the late journalist’s legacy of documenting food as a cultural narrative. The emotional high point featured a standing ovation during a tribute to Dua , accompanied by specially produced cinematic short films profiling each recipient of the newly established honor.

Introduction of Specialty Cuisine (Home Chef Edition)

A dedicated award was established to honor the preservation of regional culinary heritage within home kitchens, spotlighting diverse traditions including Himalayan, Lucknowi, Chettinad, Jain, and Bihari cuisines.

Cultural Performances

The event featured a compelling Dastangoi (storytelling) performance by Nadeem Shah Suhrawardy and a special narration titled Zabaan aur Zaiqa by Saba (@thewordmuse_).

Gala Dinner

The evening concluded with a showcase of award-winning dishes, celebrating nearly a century of spice craftsmanship.

In-Depth Panel Discussions

Food and Tourism

A discussion on the connection between food culture and tourism, highlighting how culinary experiences shape travel and hospitality.

Moderator: Sourish Bhattacharyya

Chef Davinder Kumar
Karan Marwah
Kartikeya Shankar

The Evolving Foodscape of Delhi

An engaging conversation on Delhi’s changing culinary identity, emerging food trends, and the city’s dynamic dining culture.

Moderator: Dr. Neha Vermani

Chef Manish Mehrotra
G. Sri Ramya
Dr. Charmaine O'Brien

Responsible Content Creation

Focused on ethical storytelling, authenticity, and the growing responsibility of creators in the digital food and lifestyle space.

Moderator: Triya Gulati

Priyanka Kapoor
Karan Malik
Gitanshu Jetly

2024 Category Winners

Category	Winner
Seekh Kebab	Abdul Ghani Qureshi Kebab Corner
Chole Kulche	Bhogal Chole Bhature Wala
Shawarma	The F-Spot Shawarma & More
Sweet Shop	Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai
Chole Bhature	Rawalpindi Chole Bhature - Banshi Di Hatti
Kachori	Fateh Chand Ki Kachori, Civil Lines
Poori Chole	Choudhary Di Hatti Sweets Corner, Krishna Nagar
Jalebi	Gogia Sweets Paneer & Baker's
Butter Chicken Tikka	Aslam Chicken
Kulfi	Kuremal Mahavir Prasad Kulfiwale
Chicken Biryani	Zahra Restaurant and Cafe
Mutton Rara	Zaika Foods, Daryaganj
Pakore	Yash Ji Snacks Point, South Anarkali
Nihari	Haji Shabrati Nahari Shop
Shahi Tukda	Cool Point
Raj Kachori	Bikavernala Pvt Ltd
Rajma Chawal	Dhaba Food, Connaught Place
Chaap	Veer Ji Malai Chaap Wale, Geeta Colony
Sheermal	Pakwaan by Rehmatullah Hotel
Gol Gappe	Bhimsain's Bengali Sweet House
Special Categories
Hall of Fame	Karim Hotels Pvt Ltd
Woman Street Food Entrepreneur	Tara Syangbo (Momo Mama)
Content Creator of the Year (23-24)	Darshit Singh @darshitoncam
Food Vendor Meme	Rajeev Bhai ke Mashoor Omelette (#TehelkaOmelette)
Taste Maker of Delhi	Noori Masale
Model Street Food Set Up	Neer Street Food, Bengali Market