Kikkoman India Hosts 4th Culinary Experts Meetup in New Delhi -- Food Service Professionals Gather to Discuss 'Trust' and 'Authenticity'
NEW DELHI , June 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kikkoman India hosted its 4th Culinary Experts Meetup (CEM) on 27 February 2026, at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Pusa, New Delhi. The event attracted over 110 culinary professionals in person, including government officials, celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, and the next generation of culinary students. For the first time, proceedings were also live-streamed, enabling chefs and students from across India to participate virtually. Under the theme 'The Intersection of Credibility, Trust, Safety, and Deliciousness', attendees engaged in spirited discussion on the defining challenges facing India's food service industry today.
Kikkoman India Hosts 4th Culinary Experts Meetup in New Delhi -- Food Service Professionals Gather to Discuss 'Trust' and 'Authenticity'
Keynote by Industry Leaders: Food Safety as a 'Fundamental Human Right'The event featured keynote addresses from Shri Rajit Punhani IAS, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and Chef Manish Mehrotra, an icon of Indian culinary excellence. Shri Punhani argued that food safety is not merely a regulatory matter but a fundamental right of citizens, and that trust forms the bedrock of the entire food ecosystem. Chef Mehrotra spoke to the tension between tradition and innovation, noting that while honouring authenticity remains essential, the next generation of chefs must also embrace evolution — meeting contemporary demands and operating efficiently to minimise food waste.Official Launch of the Kikkoman Centre for Chinese Cuisine (KCC)A major highlight of the event was the official announcement of the Kikkoman Centre for Chinese Cuisine (KCC) — a pioneering platform dedicated to enriching the quality of Chinese cuisine and contributing to the advancement of culinary education in India. The launch was presided over by its initiators, Chef Manjit Singh Gill, President of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), and Mr. Kabir Advani, Managing Partner of Berco's, who unveiled the KCC logo and outlined its future operational direction. Through educational programmes, workshops, and other initiatives, KCC aims to chart the future of Chinese cuisine as it continues to evolve distinctively within India.
