Eminent members of the food and lifestyle community with extensive knowledge and expertise in the culinary, tourism, and leisure industries will be serving as jury members for the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2025! Their job? Quite tough, actually. Going through all the nominations and choosing the best "people and institutions" by making an impartial and fair conclusion doesn’t sound easy. Experts in food and alcohol, as well as journalists, influencers, chefs, consultants, and more, make up this rich panel. You might recognise some of them as your favourite content creators making the most delicious reels on the Internet, while the others are veterans of this industry known for their legendary contributions to this space. Scroll to know more about them.
Rakhee Vaswani, Chef and Founder of Palate Culinary Academy
Palate Culinary Academy, India's leading boutique centre for pastry arts and culinary arts, was founded by Rakhee Vaswani, a well-known and respected culinary instructor. Vaswani is famous for providing exceptional instruction that incorporates both traditional and contemporary culinary methods and trends, driven by her enthusiasm for developing young chefs. She has helped many people realise their passion for cooking by sharing her knowledge of Indian and other cuisines. Even now, Vaswani's institution serves as a source of motivation for aspiring cooks.
Aditi Dugar, Restaurateur
Dugar gained immense praise and popularity as the first Indian woman to own a restaurant empire when her establishments, Masque and ARAKU, were named in the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. Her fresh perspective on Indian cuisine has become famous, and she is now considered one of India's leading figures in the ever-changing field of food and dining.
Amninder Sandhu, Chef and Restaurateur
The devotion that Sandhu has for cooking over an open fire has brought her great fame. She was the only Indian cook to participate in the Netflix series, The Final Table, and she also won the National Award for Best Lady Chef, which is granted by the Ministry of Tourism. Her unique cooking style and many honours are further demonstrated by her roles as co-founder of Bawrii and founding partner of dining experiences at Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries.
Ajay Chopra, Chef, Food Consultant and Television Personality
Chopra is a widely respected chef and food consultant! He also serves as managing director at Zion Hospitality, where he produces content, offers culinary instruction, and advises food businesses. He also hosts the series Pattay Ki Baat, Papad Pickle Aur Pyala, and India's 50 Best Dishes on Zee Zest.
Miss Malini, Content Creator and Entrepreneur
Malini Agarwal is not only one of the first Indian influencers to gain international recognition, but she also co-founded Good Creator Co. and was the creative director and founder of MissMalini Entertainment! Furthermore, she is the driving force behind the Girl Tribe by MissMalini community, a place where women can freely share their thoughts and feelings, find support, empowerment, networking opportunities, and inspiration to lead fulfilling lives.
The establishment of a lasting entertainment brand synonymous with optimism and substance is her crowning achievement! She hopes to encourage and empower young women to follow their passions and strengths by sharing her story and the platform she has developed over the past 20 years.
Natasha Gandhi, Chef and Content Creator
Being named one of the top five finalists on MasterChef India Season 6, the cocktail aficionado and vivacious chef Natasha Gandhi received a lot of attention. She is the creator of House of Millets, which promotes healthy millet-based cuisine, and Drinks with Nats, which is her platform for creatively crafting cocktails with an Indian touch. She has a passion for merging traditional and contemporary ingredients! Natasha showcases her culinary skills and mixology flair via her inventive food and drink creations, which honour the abundance of Indian ingredients through a thrilling blend of tastes.
Niyati Rao, Chef and Restaurateur
After only 14 months in business, Chef Niyati Rao's Ekaa restaurant made headlines when it rose to number nineteen on Asia's 50 Best list, solidifying her position as one of the most promising young chefs in India. Rao is one of the 30 Under 30 Asia 2023 honourees because of her groundbreaking style of Indian fine dining. She isn't content to sit on her laurels; instead, she is putting her creative energy into creating Mumbai's first "daru-chakna" bar, demonstrating her adaptability and enthusiasm for revolutionising India's culinary and drink scene.
Shagun Mehra, Chef and Sommelier
In acknowledgement of her immense influence on India's wine sector, Mehra was selected by Luxury Fortune magazine as one of the Top Five Craft People of India. Her contributions to the culinary world have been well recognised. Furthermore, LuxeBook magazine just named her one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Luxury. Mehra, one of the most renowned chefs and sommeliers in India, is well-known for her pescatarian and plant-based dishes that expertly combine local, seasonal ingredients with exotic spices and flavours.
She is deeply committed to advancing the status of women chefs and is an active participant in programs that bolster the 'Women in Gastronomy' movement. Dishes from Elephant Lands, a fascinating series that she is preparing, will feature the diverse and delicious cuisine of the Indian villages that live in close proximity to wild elephants.
Varun Sharma, Mixologist
The famous Indian mixologist Sharma has held the position of Head of Bars at several illustrious venues, such as Chor Bizarre, Indian Accent in Mumbai, Comorin, Hosa Goa, and Fireback Restaurant. Sharma combines his love of traditional Indian flavours with his enthusiasm for contemporary mixology to create unique cocktail experiences that satisfy the palate. Sharma has long been a national icon for his innovative attitude and dogged pursuit of perfection in the bartending craft; he has received several honours for his work and serves as an inspiration to mixologists everywhere.
Shri Bala, Chef
Bala, a chartered accountant turned chef, has been in the kitchen since she was a little girl. As a result of her lifelong interest in cooking, she now makes a living promoting cuisine at five-star hotels across the nation. She is now well recognised as a leading authority on the history of South Indian cuisine.
Anurag Mallick, Writer And Media Personality
Mallick is the creator of Red Scarab Travel & Media and has been a prominent travel writer in India for over 20 years. Without a question, he has improved the travel community as a whole as a travel writer and co-author of respected travel books, offering insightful commentary, suggestions, and recommendations to a wide variety of tourists. Among his co-authored works for Outlook Traveller are 52 Weekend Breaks from Bangalore, Kerala Guide, 100 Holidays in the Hills, and Trekking Guide to India.
Saransh Goila, Chef and Restaurateur
Renowned for his unique takes on traditional Indian food, Goila is a much-lauded Indian chef and co-founder of Goila Butter Chicken. His lively social media presence, in which he chronicles his culinary escapades and travelogues, is just as charismatic as his food. When Saransh isn't in the kitchen, he shows off his many abilities and enthusiasm for life by acting and playing pickleball.
Jasleen Marwah, Chef and Restaurateur
Marwah, a former home cook turned restaurateur, is renowned for her ability to tell tales through cuisine. On Zee Zest's India's 50 Best Dishes, she wowed viewers with her extensive knowledge of Kashmiri cuisine and her role as a Masala Mantri. Chef Jasleen has a deep love for Kashmiri cuisine and a strong desire to keep its traditions alive via her dishes, which are a sensory delight and a glimpse into the heart of her country. She has just become the proud owner of Folk, a restaurant in Mumbai that pays homage to the rich culinary heritage of India by serving traditional regional dishes from all around the nation.
Chintan Pandya, Chef
New York City-based Indian chef, Pandya is known for his innovative spin on traditional regional dishes. His restaurant Dhamaka, situated in the city's Essex Market, was acclaimed as the top eatery by The New York Times after just ten months of its 2021 launch, thanks to its fearlessly genuine and experimental fare. In addition to Dhamaka, Pandya is the creator of Adda Indian Canteen, Biryani Bol, Semma, Rowdy Rooster, Masalawala & Sons, and other notable eateries. Semma is a Southern Indian heritage restaurant, Biryani Bol is a delivery kitchen, and Masalawala & Sons is all about robust Bengali food.
Riaan George, Content Creator and Media Personality
George is a digital producer and influencer from Mumbai and Colombo who has made a name for himself in the tourist industry with his captivating content. George, who has been widely praised for his distinctive travel experiences, cultural discoveries, and insights from Sri Lanka and India, was elected as the New Age Tourism Ambassador of India. In his engaging digital material, he promotes ethical travel while inviting viewers to explore lesser-known attractions, immerse themselves in local cultures, and marvel at the natural wonders of the world.
Tejasvi Chandela, Chef and Restaurateur
By skilfully fusing Indian and contemporary pastry techniques, Chandela has carved out a special place for herself. At the young age of 22, she opened Dzurt Patisserie & Cafe in Jaipur after graduating from Paris's Le Cordon Bleu. La Liste later named it one of the best pastry stores in the world. After co-founding All Things Chocolate—a company that specialises in bean-to-bar chocolates made with Indian cacao—she went on to get a Master of Science degree in chocolate making from Barcelona.
With the goal of making her academy a global culinary mecca, Chef Chandela, who is a judge on Masterchef India 2023 and presenter of Zee Zest's The Bakers Table, gives courses all over the globe, sharing her signature blend of modern pastry techniques with traditional Indian recipes.
Priya Ganapathy, Consultant and Content Creator
As a consultant and travel influencer, Ganpathy operates Red Scarab Travel & Media with her husband, Anurag Mallick. They produce material for the hotel and tourist business. Michelin, Rough Guides, and Outlook Traveller are just a few of the travel books and guides that she has co-authored, and she is a regular contributor to several prominent national and international media.
Avinash Martins, Chef
One of the most accomplished Indian chefs working today is Avinash Martins, whose resume includes stints at The Oberoi in Delhi as well as Michelin-starred establishments across the world. Cavatina Cuchina in Benaulim, South Goa, is currently running under him! Martins, having worked in kitchens across the globe, decided to add his unique touch to traditional Saraswat and Portuguese dishes by unravelling their numerous culinary secrets. As an ardent supporter of the "source locally" movement, Martins hopes to introduce Goan cuisine to diners all over the globe.
Sumona Chakravarti, Actor
Famous for her many roles in both cinema and television, Chakravarti is a renowned Indian actress. She became famous for her participation in the popular comedy series The Kapil Sharma Show, where she was an integral member of the ensemble and won over viewers with her sharp sense of humour. Chakravarti has demonstrated her versatility as an actor throughout the course of her career in a number of film, television, and web series projects, deftly navigating roles that call for comic relief, dramatic depth, and emotional vulnerability. She frequently shares on social media her interest in discovering new places and savouring varied foods, in addition to her passion for performing.
Travel West Bengal with Sumona Chakravarti, on Shonar Bengal and produced by Zee Zest, showed her love of travel as she investigated the culinary delights, scenic landscapes, and historical sites of West Bengal.
Suvir Saran, Food Consultant
Saran came back to India in 2017 to start a new chapter in his career and reawaken his passion for cooking after spending many years moulding the American culinary scene. Even now, you can find him in the kitchens of several well-known establishments, such as Cold Love Ice Cream, one8 Commune, Te Amo Bistro and Bar in Gurgaon, Murphies Bistro & Bar and Jolene by the Sea. In addition to penning four critically acclaimed cookbooks, Saran is a frequent journalist, TED speaker, and prolific speaker.
Rashmi Uday Singh, Television and Media Personality
A well-known TV host who shares her thoughts on cuisine from across the world, Rashmi Uday Singh has written more than 40 books and is widely considered an expert in the field of food writing. The impact of Singh, who has won several honours for her writing and television work, goes well beyond these fields. These include the Chevalier Knighthood and the World Gourmand Award, among others. Her commitment to both the culinary arts and social effect is further demonstrated by her role as founder of Hospitality Hope, a nonprofit worldwide employment platform with the goal of strengthening the hospitality sector.
Ashwin Rajagopalan, Writer
With over 20 years of experience as a writer and content professional, Rajagopalan covers a wide range of topics, from travel to tech. His speciality is writing on cuisine and vacation spots. He has written for several prestigious journals and is an expert in cross-cultural communication.
Priyanko Sarkar, Writer
Sarkar is well-known in the world of beverages for his storytelling-centric approach. In his pursuit of the nation's finest cuisine and beverages, bar aficionado Sarkar often travels the length and breadth of the nation. Additionally, he often hosts history walks in Mumbai with a focus on beverages, drawing in a diverse range of people. In addition to the forthcoming bar at Todi Mills, Sarkar is responsible for the beverages program at facilities owned by Mumbai-based Chrome Hospitality, including Gigi, Lyla, and Donna Deli.
Rakesh Raghunathan, Content Creator And Television Personality
As a gifted storyteller, Raghunathan has made a name for himself by transporting audiences on gastronomic and travelogue adventures. The relationship between dietary behaviours and social and cultural norms is an area that fascinates him. Additionally, he hosts the popular Zee Zest episodes 100% South Indian and Highway Dreams.
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