The Big F Awards followed a multi-stage evaluation process in which entries underwent successive rounds of screening and scoring based on originality, execution, consistency, quality and sectoral relevance. The framework was designed to assess participants on the strength of their work, irrespective of their profile, popularity or market presence.
The jury for the 13th edition comprised Chef Nita Mehta, Chef Manisha Bhasin, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Pawan Soni, Diwan Gautam Anand, Siddharth Jalan, Zorawar Kalra, Sameer Bawa, Khurafati Nitin, Sourish Bhattacharya, Rocky Singh and Anirudh Singhal. The panel brought together experience across cuisine, hospitality, media and business and applied a common evaluation framework to assess nominees and determine the final results.
The process was structured to provide a level playing field, with commercial size, public visibility and geographical location not determining recognition. The platform also sought to bring independent ventures, emerging professionals, newer businesses and establishments into consideration, including those that may not receive the same visibility as larger or more established names.
The awards maintain a separation between participation and recognition. There are no nomination fees or pay-to-participate mechanisms, while winners are not disclosed in advance and the final results remain confidential until their announcement at the awards ceremony.
Speaking after the ceremony, Pawan Soni, Host, The Big F Awards, said, “Thirteen editions have reinforced our belief that credibility cannot be created through a trophy or an announcement; it comes from the process behind it. This year, in the 6-month long process the jury evaluated nominations with the same discipline across categories, looking closely at the work, its consistency, execution and relevance. What stood out was the diversity of talent—from established names to smaller ventures and professionals receiving national recognition for the first time. That is precisely what we want The Big F Awards to stand for: a platform where deserving work has an opportunity to be recognised on merit, irrespective of visibility or scale.”
The 13th edition saw participation from independent ventures, established organisations, chefs, restaurateurs and emerging businesses across multiple regions and formats. The participation reflected the awards’ effort to identify and recognise excellence beyond conventional industry circles.
Megu at The Leela Palace Delhi received The League of Legend Award, while Sourish Bhattacharya received the Habeeb ur Rehman Lifetime Achievement Award. The Arvind Saraswat Young Chef Award was presented to Chef Priyansh Sakariya.
In Indian Cuisines, the Coastal category Jury Award went to sana-di-ge, while The Malabar Coast received the Popular Award. Gulati Restaurant won the North Indian category Jury Award, while Karigari by Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi received the Popular Award. In the Modern Indian category, the Jury Award went to Avartana (ITC Maurya), while Anardana received the Popular Award. HOSA won the South Indian category Jury Award, while Dakshin (Sheraton Delhi) received the Popular Award. In Other Indian Regional Cuisines, the Jury Award went to Royal Afghan (ITC Grand Bharat), while Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen received the Popular Award.
In World Cuisine, Tamra (Shangri-La Eros New Delhi) received the All-Day Dining in a 5-Star Hotel Jury Award, while Seasonal Tastes (The Westin) won the Popular Award. The BBQ & Grills Jury Award went to The Pit Smoked & Grilled, while TGIFRIDAYS received the Popular Award. OLLY – Olive's All Day Café & Bar won the Café Jury Award, while Cafe Delhi Heights received the Popular Award.
Theos received the Café with soft beverages Jury Award, while DIGGIN won the Popular Award. The Chinese Jury Award went to Shang Palace (Shangri-La Eros New Delhi), while China Garden received the Popular Award. Latango won the European Cuisine Jury Award, while United Coffee House received the Popular Award. Hahn's Kitchen received the Japanese/Korean Jury Award, while Kofuku won the Popular Award. Yum Yum Cha won the Pan Asian Jury Award, while YouMee received the Popular Award. In Thai/Vietnamese and Other World Cuisine, the Jury Award went to Soy Neung Roi (Radisson Delhi Airport), while Mamagoto received the Popular Award.
The Big F Awards Special categories saw L'Opera receive the Bakery/Patisserie Jury Award, while The Big Chill Cakery won the Popular Award. Kalanji received the Best Butter Chicken Jury Award, while Havemore Restaurant received the Popular Award. The Home Baker Jury Award went to Dessert Art (Deepali Mahajan), while Glaze N Gourmet (Deeksha Ahuja) received the Popular Award.
The Home Chef Jury Award was presented to A Southside Story (Rekha Rigo) and Aman-E-Mithaas (Puplee Bedi), while Saffron by Archie (Archana Dhawan) received the Popular Award. Noshi – Yum Asian Delivery won the Delivery Only Outlets Jury Award, while Louis Burger received the Popular Award. Pizzeria Da Susy received the Pizzeria Jury Award, while Tossin Pizza won the Popular Award.
AARAMgarh received the Terrace/Outdoor Dining Jury Award, while Swan won the Popular Award. Pawan Hora (Wishbox Studio) received the Best In-House PR/Agency Jury Award, while Vibhuti Sood received the Popular Award. Prateek Gusain (Kimikrai: Umami House) won the Bar Team of the Year Jury Award, while Sandesh Tamang (Sidecar) received the Popular Award.
Nisaba received the Noteworthy Newcomer of the Year Jury Award, while Tan Yan won the Popular Award. INJA received the Restaurant of the Year Jury Award, while Japonico received the Popular Award. Porus Arora won the Restaurateur of the Year Jury Award, while Vikrant Batra received the Popular Award. Sahil Sambhi received the Nightlife Entrepreneur of the Year Jury Award, while Dinesh Arora won the Popular Award.
The Nightlife categories saw Aabbcc.concept receive the Cocktail Bar Jury Award, while Vietnam won the Popular Award. Aabbcc.concept also received the Cocktail Menu of the Year Jury Award, with Farzi Café receiving the Popular Award. The Debut Bar Jury Award went to Aabbcc.concept, while She's Here received the Popular Award.
Fort City Brewing won the Micro Brewery Jury Award, while Beerlin received the Popular Award. Diablo received the Place for Gigs Jury Award, while Chica won the Popular Award. Rick's (Taj Mahal, New Delhi) received the Pub/Bar Jury Award, while Japonico received the Popular Award.
HauzKhas Social won the Rooftop Bar Jury Award, while Molecule received the Popular Award. Nadoo received the Theme Restaurant/Bar/Pub Jury Award, while Sly Granny won the Popular Award. Thanks & Beyond received the Night Clubs Jury Award, while Story Club & Lounge (The Westin) received the Popular Award.
Highlights from the evening included Chef Manish Mehrotra, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Rocky Mohan, Chef Manisha Bhasin, Siddharth Jalan and Zorawar Kalra, among other dignitaries attending the presentation ceremony.
The Big F Awards is a Delhi NCR-based platform recognising excellence across the food and hospitality industry through a rigorous and independent evaluation process. Founded on the belief that credible recognition must be rooted in process rather than perception, the awards follow a structured jury-led evaluation framework, with entries assessed against defined parameters. The platform maintains a zero nomination fee and no pay-to-participate policy, keeping recognition independent of commercial participation.
As the 13th edition concludes, The Big F Awards continues to centre its recognition process on work that stands up to scrutiny, with the platform set to expand its outreach for the next edition and bring a wider pool of professionals, establishments and businesses into consideration.
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