New Delhi, 4^th May 2026: The Big F Awards will return with its 13th edition, bringing together industry voices and emerging talent for an evening focused on recognition through a structured and transparent system. Scheduled to take place in The Westin Gurgaon, on 16^th September 2026, the upcoming edition continues to build on a format that prioritizes merit-led selection.

The platform follows an inclusive model, inviting participation from across categories and ensuring entries are assessed without bias. This approach allows professionals and brands from varied backgrounds to present their work before an independent panel. As a truly democratic set of awards, it is defined by a transparent, rigorous, and genuinely impartial jury process.

A distinguished panel has been assembled for this edition, featuring Chef Nita Mehta, Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Pawan Soni, Diwan Gautam Anand, Sameer Bawa, Khurafati Nitin, Rocky Singh, and Anirudh Singhal. Their combined experience across culinary arts, hospitality, media, and business brings range and perspective to the review process.

The evaluation framework is designed with defined stages and clear parameters. Submissions move through screening and scoring rounds, guided by criteria that ensure consistency and clarity at all levels. This method strengthens confidence in the outcome and supports a fair selection process.

Sharing his perspective ahead of the awards, Pawan Soni, Host Big F Awards explained that the awards aim to recognize work that often goes unnoticed, especially from emerging players and smaller formats that rarely find space on larger platforms. “The team has worked to ensure wider outreach so that participation is not limited by scale or visibility. He also pointed out that the response over the years has grown steadily, with entries coming in from new players and formats. The intent is to build a platform that reflects the diversity of the industry, where different voices, ideas, and formats find equal opportunity for recognition without building unnecessary categories,” he noted. With entries from across segments and with already 50,000+ public votes, the 13th edition is shaping up to be a strong showcase of work from across the industry. The final winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony, as always

Café Delhi Heights is known for its innovative Food festivals from time to time, but this time they have designed the Best in the form of Rice above the Rest. In India, Rice is not only a staple on the plate but also a cultural mainstay.

In Indian Culture, rice holds great spiritual and ritual significance. It is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Rice is a must at any major Indian cultural event, be it a morsel of kheer (rice pudding) or boiled rice being fed as the first solid food a child ever eats, to uncooked rice grains applied to foreheads with sandalwood paste to form a “tilak”- a burning symbol of the soul’s energy. Rice makes a number of appearances in Indian culture, weddings, prayers and scriptures as a symbol of well-being and prosperity. The annual calendar of festivals has many celebrations based on the harvest cycle of rice.

Vikrant Batra, Founder of Café Delhi Heights says that the versatility of rice makes it the most loved grain all over the world. Right from the Khichdi, to simple Pulao to fragrant pots of rice and spice meats called biryani, Rice is a feast beyond compare. Hence We at Café Delhi Heights thought of curating a special menu to celebrate this very superfood.

Chef Aashish Singh, Culinary Director at Café Delhi Heights further adds that we have designed this menu keeping in mind the rice acceptance in different states in different forms. Although Rice is high in the glycemic index still it is considered to be the best Grain, owing to a lot of variety available including fibrous variants like Red rice, etc. We have added dishes to the menu, which have their Origin from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and more. From the belt of Andhra / Karnataka, One can enjoy the Rive varieties like Curd Rice, Hyderabadi Biryani, Bisi Bele Bath, etc. One also gets to enjoy the specials from Maharashtra like Masale Bhaat, Payesh from Assam, Gian Pilaf from Goa, Tehri from Lucknow, Yakhni Pulao from Kashmir, and Jadoh from Meghalaya are added to this special menu too. Not only the specials from India but favorites from International Cuisines like Risotto, Paella, Jasmine rice with stir-fried greens, and Chipotle burritos bowl are added in the menu as well. Different varieties of rice like Sela basmati, Bangaru Theegalu, Rajbhog Arua rice, Dehradooni Basmati, Illupai Poo Samba, Musk budij, Goan short grain red rice, Ambe Mohar, Joha, etc have been procured to make sure that Each dish is prepared at its utmost accuracy with the perfect amalgamation of right flavours, spices and Chef’s Magic.

If you are a rice lover, then this feast is meant for you and your family.

FACT SHEET

The Festival is on till 6th Feb 2023

At All Café Delhi Heights.

Multiple outlets at Delhi- DLF Promenade, Sangam Courtyard, Rajouri Garden, Janakpuri, DLF Avenue Saket, Rajouri Garden, Janpath

Gurgaon- Crosspoint Mall, Cyber Hub Gurgaon, Ardee Mall, Good Earth Mall, Ambience Mall, AIPL.

Noida- DLF Mall of India, Starling Mall, etc.

Contact Number for Reservations- 9555254033, 8800691812

The post RICE ABOVE THE REST AT CAFE DELHI HEIGHTS appeared first on Indian Food Freak.

(Gurgaon, Haryana), India, 1st September 2022: The 9th edition of Big F Awards, organized by Indian Food Freak concludes amid much fanfare. Held on the 31st of August, Wednesday at The Westin, Gurgaon, the awards ceremony was nothing short of spectacular with the who’s who of the food and entertainment industry gracing the evening with their presence. The food gala was a celebration of
Gurgaon’s culinary culture where untapped local food marketers, home chefs, and home bakers got their share of recognition in addition to commercial establishments. In fact, the event’s sole objective was to provide a platform for small-scale but passionate food-preneurs to showcase their talent and
participate in the F&B space.

The Big F Awards started in the year 2014 and have steadily become the most sought-after and prestigious awards for culinary enthusiasts of Gurgaon. These Gurgaon-specific awards have helped showcase the city’s love for food and get recognised as a culinary capital. The Big F Awards 2022 honoured a variety of food categories ranging from local takeaway joints to fine dining restaurants and bars, in addition to a community of home bakers among others. The list of winners included Vir Sanghvi who was facilitated with Star of India, Lifetime Achievement award was awarded to Chef Manjit Singh Gill while Comorin won the Restaurant of the year award. Arvind Saraswat Young Chef award by Chef Ranveer Brar was bagged by Aditya Murali Shankar from Varq at Taj Mahal Hotel. Chef Aditya won
Rs50,000 apart from the trophy from the personal fund of Chef Ranveer Brar.

These awards are judged by some of the best Chefs and Food critics in the country including Chef Nita Mehta, Diwan Gautam Anand, Chef Manisha Bhasin, Mayur Sharma, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Pawan Soni, Chef Rakesh Sethi, and Rocky Singh. The awards provided chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs with a pool of opportunities to establish their identity and get recognised by the industry. Speaking on the same Pawan Soni, Founder of Indian Food Freak and The Big F Awards said, “We’re very happy with the way things have unfolded this year marking the 9th edition of Big F Awards. I humbly acknowledge and thank all our sponsors, jury members, attendees, and participants for making this event a huge success.”

Shibani Kashyap’s melodious performance enthralled the audience. Other key people who attended the awards include Chef Manish Mehrotra, Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ajay Chopra, Zoraward Kalra, AD Singh, Pankaj Bansal – Director, M3M India, Neeraj Kumar – MD, Beam Suntory, Nitin Seth – Vice Chairman, Tops, Kabir Suri – President NRAI amongst many others.

The post The 9th edition of ‘Big F Awards’ marks the celebration of Gurgaon’s culinary marvel -2022 appeared first on Indian Food Freak.

New Delhi, 18 August 2021: One of India’s most popular and fast paced hospitality brands, ‘Welcomhotel’ launched its latest outpost in Katra. Welcomhotel Katra has 83 well-appointed guest rooms, a swimming pool, an array of sublime activities on-site to keep one joyfully engaged.

Welcomhotel Katra offers a quintessential ITC Hotels culinary experience with signature dishes on offer. The WelcomCafe serves the best of gourmet flavours in international and regional vegetarian cuisine is one of a kind in its offerings and the finest in Katra. The traditional WelcomSthalika brings the best of this region’s vegetarian cuisine on a platter. The ingredients are sourced from the local farming community of the neighbourhood and are fresh & seasonal. The WelcomSthalika represents regional fare from Jammu region, and is prepared in Sattvik style bringing out the flavors predominant in Katra and adjoining areas. Some of these local preparations are Jammu Rajma, Ambal, Shingare ki Kadhi, Mewe ka kofta and Tumba ajwain aloo.

The curated menu uses locally grown ingredients like Jammu Rajma, walnuts, almonds, badi masala, tumba ajwain, shahi zeera, saunf, sonth and more in traditional style.  These Local Love meals will take guests on the expedition to the tastes of this rich temple cuisine recreating exclusive meal experiences.

One can discover holistic Ayurveda experiences and therapies for an overall reboot of the body and mind at the soon to open Kaya Kalp Spa. The hotel also offers an ideal space both outdoor and indoor, for events, weddings and celebrations with a seamless banquet space of 2750 sqft.

Just 45 kilometres away from the Jammu airport, Welcomhotel Katra is an idyllic destination nestled in the lush green valleys and panoramic views. Amidst the pine trees, breathtakingly beautiful landscape, the hotel stands tall like a crown jewel of Katra city. The hotel is dotted with miniature hand paintings created by budding artists from the region.

Already, the finest property in the city, Welcomhotel Katra brings joy to travelers seeking a fulfilling destination experience. With spiritual tourism on a constant surge, this new addition to the city of Katra makes for a welcome change to the city’s inventory. While the mere mention of Katra brings to fore images of the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, there is much more to this high point destination.

Katra city is located in the foothills of Trikuta Mountains in Reasi district. It has been a preferred place for devotees for decades for its proximity to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi has pilgrims visiting all year round. Katra is the base camp for aficionados not just going to Mata Vishnu Devi, the sanctum sanctorum but also nearby places of tourist attraction.

Welcomhotel Katra is the base camp for those wanting to partake of the region’s picturesque attractions, including Patnitop. For the thrill seekers and nature lovers, Patnitop is just 85 kilometres drive away and the route to the hill station is truly poetic with the beautifully lined with pine and cedar trees.

The Patnitop hill station is the only hill station where snowfall can be seen in the winters in Jammu and hence even the locals and guests from Katra come here during the winters.

River rafting features high on the itinerary of Katra guests. The thrill of rafting in the white waters of Chenab is an unmissable experience. Katra has one of the best rafting stretches in the world with its fifteen-kilometer-long stretch bordered by lush green surroundings. Adventure lovers throng this place for water sports activities and the mesmerizing beauty.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Anil Chadha, COO, ITC Hotels said, “Brand Welcomhotel continues on its expansion spree offering guests the most beautiful destination properties like Welcomhotel Katra- popular for its scenic beauty and spiritual air. Katra truly offers the best of enriching experiences, for both pilgrimage and leisure. The globally acknowledged DNV platinum certified ‘WeAssure’ health and hygiene protocol at our hotels enables travelers to enjoy their holiday with complete peace of mind. “

Welcomhotel Katra is a destination that offers a gleeful experience to the discerning traveller who are in search of some rest and rejuvenation. Should one wish to pick a memorabilia or a local produce, one can shop in Katra for dried apples, home-grown organic products, Kashmiri chilies, woollen garments, leather jackets and hand painted miniature paintings in the colourful and bustling local markets.

The post ITC Hotels Launch Welcomhotel Katra appeared first on Indian Food Freak.