Cooking Competition: NFCI’s NCC-2026 Crowning India’s Next Generation

Can you imagine sizzling spices filling the competition hall? Well, this was the vibe of NCC Cooking Competition, mesmerizing plates of food laid out and a room filled with anticipation from young cooks fighting for national pride. It did on 30th January, 2026 at the Pushpa Gujral Science City in Kapurthala, Punjab when the National Culinary Challenge (NCC) – 2026: Season 3 had the most colorful and happening finale.

Organised by the National Finishing & Cookery Institute (NFCI) this prestigious cooking competition has fast become one of India’s elite stage for young chefs to demonstrate their innovation, technique and pure passion for the culinary arts.

The Road to the Grand Finale: A Journey from Classroom Talent to National stage

The cooking competition kicked off with massive enthusiasm across the country. Around 1,300 talented students from 21 NFCI campuses nationwide participated in the first round. After intense preliminary challenges, 240 students advanced to the second round.

The real cooking competition pressure built up from there – only the crème de la crème made it through. In the end, 70 standout performers earned their spots in the Grand Finale, where 23 passion-packed teams (representing those 21 campuses) went head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown.

These young chefs didn’t just cook; they demonstrated creativity, flawless technique, stunning presentation, perfect flavour balance, and bold innovation—all while working seamlessly as teams.

Star-Studded Judging Panel and High Praise

No elite competition is complete without expert eyes watching every move. The judging panel featured culinary heavyweights:

• Celebrity Chef Ajay Chopra
• Chef Nishant Choubey
• Chef Vinod Badoni

These pros scrutinized every dish on criteria that matter most in the real world of professional kitchens. Their verdict? The teams impressed with their professionalism, confidence, and industry-ready skills—proof that NFCI is truly shaping future-ready chefs.

(Chef Ajay Chopra in action—judging with that signature expertise!)

And the Winners Are…

The atmosphere was electric as the results were announced. Here’s who took home the honors:

• Winner: Solan Campus – ₹51,000 cash prize
• First Runner-Up: Hoshiarpur – ₹31,000
• Second Runner-Up: Lucknow – ₹21,000

Special shout outs went to:

• First Consolation Prizes (₹11,000 each): Chandigarh and Pathankot
• Second Consolation Prizes (₹5,100 each): Mandi, Chamba, Ludhiana (Forest to Plate), Ludhiana (Roots and Royals), and Varanasi

The category awards added extra sparkle:

• Best Starter: Lucknow
• Best Main Course: Pathankot
• Best Dessert: Hoshiarpur

Beyond the cash, winners and participants walked away with attractive gift hampers, making the victory even sweeter.

(Scenes like these—judges tasting and appreciating incredible creations—captured the spirit of the event!)

Heartfelt Thanks to Sponsors and Media Partners

Events of this scale don’t happen without strong support. Heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors who made it all possible: Amul, Cremica, Professional Hotelware, A Plus Foods, Goldiee Group, Pansari Group, Jawahar, Balaji Stationary, Arnav Enterprises, ARC Fittings, Jain Bhai, and Tawa Parat.

Heartfelt thanks to our media partners including Hammers, Radio City, World of Hospitality, and Punjab Kesari helped spread the excitement nationwide, giving these talented students the spotlight they deserved.

Building Tomorrow’s Hospitality Leaders

More than just a cooking competition, NCC-2026 was a powerful platform that gave young chefs national-level exposure, healthy rivalry, and real-world preparation for thriving careers in the hospitality industry.

NFCI’s is commitment to excellence from last three decades and shone through once again—nurturing not just skilled cooks, but confident, innovative professionals ready to take on the world.

Congratulations to all the participants, winners, and the entire NFCI family for making NCC-2026 an unforgettable celebration of India’s emerging culinary champions! If you want to be the part of NCC- 2027 then Enrol in the upcoming batch and start preparing yourself and see you on the stage! For any guidance or information, call us at +91-9888011222 or fill the form over the website [www.nfcihospitality.com].