NCC-2025: The Ultimate & Most Prestigious Culinary Competition in India

The National Culinary Challenge 2025 (NCC-2025), organized by the National Finishing & Culinary Institute (NFCI), set a new benchmark in culinary excellence as it unfolded at Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, on January 31, 2025. Bringing together the best culinary talents from across NFCI’s 20 campuses, this grand competition celebrated creativity, skill, and India’s rich culinary heritage.

Nowadays, people are becoming increasingly passionate about food. The internet is filled with inspiring stories of IT professionals leaving high-paying jobs to pursue their culinary dreams and provide high-quality food to customers. However, mastering the art of cooking and food presentation is crucial to excelling in the industry.

India boasts numerous culinary institutes, but the National Finishing Culinary Institute (NFCI) holds a distinguished place in the culinary world. NFCI is known for organizing some of the biggest culinary competition/events in the country.

A Thrilling Culinary Competition Showcasing Regional Flavors | NCC-2025 :-

NCC-2025, this culinary competition was designed in the three-round culinary battle, with a special focus on regional thali cuisines. From an initial pool of 1,023 talented students, only the most skilled chefs made it to the grand finale, where they competed across multiple categories, including starters, main courses, beverages, and desserts.

The national culinary competition (NCC-2025) was judged by an esteemed panel of culinary experts—Chef Ajay Sood, Chef Sireesh Saxena, and Chef Mahendra Khairiya—who assessed each dish on creativity, taste, presentation, and hygiene standards.

Top Honors and Standout Participants Performances | NCC-2025

The event witnessed some extraordinary culinary creations, and the winners were rewarded with prestigious cash prizes and sponsored gift hampers:

• Winner: NFCI Hamirpur Campus – ₹51,000

• First Runner-Up: NFCI Jalandhar – ₹31,000

• Second Runner-Up: NFCI Karnal – ₹21,000

• Consolation Prizes: NFCI Varanasi & NFCI Solan – ₹11,000 each           

Special Accolades for Culinary Excellence | NCC-2025

Apart from the overall winners, special awards were also given to recognize excellence in specific categories:

• Best Beverage: NFCI Mandi for their Chhattisgarhi Thali

(Participants: Girdhari Lal, Navdeep Singh, Arjun, Pranjal, Dinesh Kumar)

• Best Starter: NFCI Chandigarh for their Awadhi Thali

(Participants: Swati, Navdeep Singh, Pranjal)

• Best Main Course: NFCI Ludhiana for their Sindhi Thali

(Participants: Suzal Arora, Kamaldeep Kaur, Yuvraj Singh)

• Best Dessert: NFCI Amritsar for their Navratri Thali

(Participants: Aastha Kapoor, Parth Vohra, Anmolpreet Kaur)

Industry Collaboration and Media Support at NCC-2025 :-

The resounding success of the biggest culinary competition in 2025. NCC-2025 was made possible through the generous support of industry sponsors and media partners. Key sponsors included:

• Varun – Professional Hotelware (Aprons Sponsor)
• Amul (Gift Hampers Sponsor)
• Mr. Manpreet – Cremica (Gift Hampers Sponsor)
• Ms. Usha – Arnav Enterprise (Consolation Prize Sponsor)
• Ms. Chaya & Mr. Rehmaan – Arc International (Consolation Prize Sponsor)
• Jain Bhai (Stationery Sponsor)

Prominent media partners like Radio City, Live Media, World of Hospitality, and Hammers amplified the event’s reach, ensuring that the achievements of young culinary talents received the recognition they deserved.

More than Just a Culinary Competition: A Grand Stage for Culinary Students :-

NCC-2025 wasn’t just about winning; it was an invaluable learning and networking opportunity. Participants had the chance to interact with industry experts, receive feedback from renowned chefs, and refine their skills through exclusive masterclasses. These interactive sessions bridged the gap between education and industry standards, equipping students with hands-on experience and professional insights.

A Visionary Leadership Driving Success of NFCI :-

• The spectacular execution of NCC-2025 was a testament to the relentless efforts of NFCI’s leadership team, including:
• Ms. Brijinder Kaur (Co-founder of NFCI)
• Mr. Pemninder (Managing Director of NFCI)
• Dr. Anjna Joshi (Director of NFCI)
• Mr. Sanjeev Kumar (Director of NFCI)
• Mr. Naveen Dua (Executive Director of NFCI)
• Mr. Pawan Ailawadi (HOD of Academics)

Under the guidance of these leaders, NFCI continues to be a pioneer in hospitality and culinary education, shaping the future of the industry through world-class training and real-world exposure.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Culinary Excellence:-

As NCC-2025 concludes on a high note, NFCI remains committed to fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of chefs. With each passing year, the competition continues to evolve, setting new standards for culinary excellence in India.

With its blend of competition, learning, and industry exposure, NCC-2025 has once again proven to be a game-changer in the world of culinary arts. Aspiring chefs can look forward to even more exciting opportunities in the future, as NFCI continues its journey of empowering young talents in the hospitality industry.

Stay tuned for NCC-2026 – where the next wave of culinary brilliance will unfold!