The 2026 NDTV Food Awards ceremony was an evening where conversations were as prominent as the dishes themselves. As India’s most celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, and food professionals gathered to receive their accolades, their backstage revelations became a highlight of the night. Kunal Kapur praised his mother’s cooking, Manish Mehrotra confessed a universally relatable guilty pleasure, and Manu Chandra presented an ambitious global vision for khichdi. Chef Seefah also summarized the importance of such events. Here are the notable moments from the evening, in their own words.
Kunal Kapur’s Comfort Food: A Taste of Home
When asked about his ultimate comfort food, Kunal Kapur responded without hesitation, “The food my mother makes at home.” Adding a touch of warmth to his statement, Kapur specifically mentioned, “Sweet yogurt and paratha with chili.”
Manish Mehrotra’s Guilty Pleasure Revealed
Chef Manish Mehrotra, the force behind Indian Accent and Nisaba, who received the award for opening of the year, offered one of the evening’s most delightful confessions. When questioned about his comfort food, Mehrotra named Maggi. He admitted to preferring these instant noodles, a staple in the childhood memories of many Indian children, over slow-cooked stews or a perfect broth.
Manu Chandra Aims to Globalize Khichdi
Chef Manu Chandra, the culinary mind behind Fatty Bao and Toast & Tonic, harbors a more ambitious goal: to elevate khichdi to a global culinary standard. While a bold aspiration, it seems entirely plausible coming from Chandra.
One Word for the Awards
When asked for the first word that comes to mind when thinking of the “NDTV Food Awards,” Chef Doma Wang of Yeti, the Himalayan Kitchen, quipped, “Another award.” Chef Seefah provided a direct and passionate response, stating it relates to food and restaurants. Chef Naren Thimmaiah of Karavalli summarized the awards as “good food and coverage.”.
Sahil and Surbhi Mehta of Paris My Love were among the evening’s most captivating couples. Surbhi declared Thai cuisine her favorite, while Sahil stated, “Always Italian.” Chef Aketoli Zhimomi’s award represented a significant moment for Northeastern cuisine on the mainstream stage. In a candid moment, she also shared her fondness for smoked pork with rice and akhuni.
For Nooresha Kably, Japanese cuisine stands out as her all-time favorite food trend. Chef Srinivas spoke proudly of the non-vegetarian Kashmiri dishes on Chor Bazaar’s menu, while Mirelle Pingfu from Masque had clear thoughts on whether a lack of food appreciation is a red line (and yes, it is).
The 2026 NDTV Food Awards served as a reminder of the rich, diverse, and deeply personal nature of India’s culinary landscape. These chefs and food professionals don’t just cook and create for a living; they bring stories, traditions, and immense heart to the table every day.
