Chennai witnessed the culmination of the zonal journey of the National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) as the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) successfully organised the South Zone round of the competition at the Faculty of Hotel Management & Culinary Arts, Dr. M.G.R. Educational & Research Institute. The event marked the final regional leg of NYCC’s nationwide rollout, with all eyes now on the Grand Finale scheduled to be held on 19 January 2026 at IHM Pusa, New Delhi.
Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), the South Zone round continued NYCC’s central theme of “Celebrating Indian Culinary Heritage: Blending Tradition with Innovation.” The platform encouraged young chefs to reinterpret classical Indian flavours using modern techniques while remaining rooted in regional traditions.
Seven leading hospitality institutes from Southern India participated in a competitive live cook-off, where teams prepared a three-course Indian meal within two-and-a-half hours. Following a closely contested round, teams from Culinary Academy of India, Hyderabad; Asian Christian Culinary & Agricultural Science Institute, Hosur; and IHM Hyderabad emerged as winners, while IHM Shri Shakti, Hyderabad, secured the runner-up position.
The jury was chaired by Chef Anil Grover, Certified WorldChefs Judge, and featured senior industry chefs representing leading hotel brands and culinary bodies. Celebrity chef K. Damodharan (Chef Damu), interacting with participants, emphasised the importance of understanding the soul of Indian cuisine before innovation.
From a media and industry perspective, the South Zone round underlined NYCC’s growing stature as a national platform connecting hospitality education with industry mentorship. With strong institutional participation and extensive industry support, NYCC has positioned itself as a credible talent pipeline for Indian cuisine. The competition’s journey now culminates in New Delhi, where the Grand F
