NCC 2026 of NFCI
The National Culinary Challenge 2026 (NCC-2026), proudly hosted by NFCI (National Finishing and Cookery Institute) at Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, was held on January 30, 2026, and emerged as a grand celebration of culinary talent, creativity, and innovation.
The event brought together passionate student chefs from across NFCI’s campuses, transforming the venue into a vibrant arena of flavours, skills, and competitive spirit. NCC-2026 stood out as one of the most awaited culinary competitions in the institute’s calendar, reflecting NFCI’s strong commitment to practical training, regional cuisine knowledge, and professional excellence.
The competition unfolded across three dynamic rounds that tested participants’ versatility, creativity, technical expertise, and ability to present food. Each centre showcased exceptional skill and originality, making the judging process highly competitive.
The event was further elevated by the presence of esteemed jury members — Chef Ajay Chopra, Chef Vinod Badoni, and Chef Nishant Choubey — whose expertise and critical evaluation added great value to the competition. The event concluded with remarkable performances from all finalists, leaving a lasting impression on judges, mentors, and attendees alike.
The top honour of NCC-2026 was secured by the NFCI Solan, who won the First Prize of ₹51,000. The Second Prize of ₹31,000 was awarded to the NFCI Hoshiarpur. The Third Prize, also recognised as the Second Runner-Up, was won by the NFCI Lucknow.
The First Consolation Prize of ₹11,000 was awarded to NFCI Chandigarh and NFCI Pathankot for their consistent performance and technical excellence throughout the competition. The Second Consolation Prize of ₹5,100 was shared by NFCI Mandi, NFCI Chamba, NFCI Ludhiana – Forest to Plate, Ludhiana – Roots and Royals, and Varanasi, each of whom demonstrated innovation, sustainability concepts, and strong regional culinary identity.
In addition to the main awards, special category recognitions added further distinction to the event. NFCI Lucknow was honoured with the Best Starter award, NFCI Pathankot’s received the Best Main Course award, and NFCI Hoshiarpur earned the Best Dessert award for their outstanding creations.
The success of NCC-2026 stands as a testament to NFCI’s strong academic vision and leadership under the guidance of Ms. Brijinder Kaur, Co-founder; Mr. Pemninder, Managing Director; Dr. Anjna Joshi, Director; Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Director; Mr. Naveen Dua, Executive Director; and Mr. Pawan Ailawadi, HOD – Academics. As NCC-2026 concluded on a high note, NFCI now looks ahead with excitement to the next edition, ready to welcome a bigger stage, bolder ideas, and the next generation of culinary innovators.
