The International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, recently held its 37th Bi-Annual Convocation, celebrating the achievements of its graduates and unveiling plans for future expansion. The event reinforced IICA’s commitment to nurturing culinary talent in India and showcased insights from industry leaders who shared their expertise with the attendees.
Among the prominent figures at the ceremony was Chef Manisha Bhasin from ITC Hotels, who delivered an inspiring keynote address. She emphasized the importance of resilience, creativity, and adaptability in the competitive culinary field, encouraging graduates to lead with passion and innovation.
The convocation also featured notable personalities such as Padma Shree Pushpesh Pant, Vikrant Batra of Café Delhi Heights, and Chef Davinder Kumar of Le Meridien, who participated in discussions centered around the role of education in shaping future culinary leaders. Their contributions added significant depth to the discourse, inspiring graduates to pursue excellence in their culinary careers.
A highlight of the ceremony was the panel discussion titled “Growing Great Chefs,” moderated by Chef Virender S Datta, founder and chairman of IICA. This session brought together industry experts who shared valuable insights on emerging culinary trends, the importance of skill-building, and the role of curiosity in developing exceptional chefs. Graduates and faculty alike benefited from actionable advice and fresh perspectives to guide their culinary journeys.
The annual awards ceremony recognized outstanding student performances. Ria Banerjee received the Divya Jyoti Award for excellence in the Level 3 Bakery & Pastry Programme, while Vedangi Mani Prakash earned the Vivek Singh Datta Award for the Level 3 Culinary Arts Programme. Raman Kainth was named Student of the Year, and alumni Aishwarya Singh and Sushant Jain received the IICA Star Achievers Award for their significant contributions to the culinary field.
Concluding the event, IICA announced the opening of two new franchise centers, extending its reach to Manipur and Kerala. Franchise partners Niranjan Singh in Imphal and Abraham Chaly in Trivandrum expressed their enthusiasm about enhancing culinary education in their respective regions, furthering IICA’s mission to inspire the next generation of culinary professionals.
