 The Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) & World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) gave this award during the 4th IFCA Congress at the Hotel Taj Krishna, held on14-16th November 2009.
He has been rewarded for his entrepreneurial ventures, Caperberry Restaurant & Tapas Lounge owned by Avant Garde Hospitality Pvt. Ltd besides his contribution to the chef profession. The award recognizes the IFCA Culinary talent that best exemplifies the highest standard of professionalism among chefs, through certification, continuing education and training, development of young culinarians and community involvement.
The Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, IFCA, is the apex body of all the professional, registered regional chefs associations in India and is a recognized member of the World Association of Chef’s Societies.
The World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) is the global apex organization to which national organizations from all over the world are affiliated. IFCA is a member of WACS, representing India in the culinary world.
Abhijit Saha is the Founding Director & Chef of Avant Garde Hospitality which owns Caperberry, the modern Spanish cuisine Restaurant and Tapas Lounge in Bangalore.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Abhijit Saha was the Director - Food and Services and Executive Chef at The Park, Bangalore. Prior to joining The Park he worked at The Manor, New Delhi as Executive Chef and with the Taj Group of Hotels for a period of 8 years, where he started his career as Kitchen Management trainee in 1990. He has earlier been rated amongst the top 10 chefs in the country by Outlook magazine.
Abhijit has studied Oenology at the Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, and later toured France and California for a detailed understanding of old and new world wines.
When delWine called to congratulate him, Abhijit was at the site of the second restaurant- Fava, a Mediterranean restaurant slated to open in coming January, in UB City in Bangalore. The 120-cover restaurant will have 30 wines-by-the- glass, he said, unable to hide his excitement on getting the award.
‘I am used to getting awards from my seniors, juniors and several associations, but this is an award from the peers and it is quite a humbling experience.’ The very first restaurant which his company formed with Shruti Shibulal as partner and Shruti Saha as the Executive Director has enabled him to be awarded in a year’s time of its existence. But as he explained,’ the award is given keeping in mind the service to the industry as a chef as well.’
The award for 2007 was also given at the Conference to Ms. Kainaz Messman, the young chef -owner of Colaba based patisserie and bakery in South Mumbai. |