New Delhi, Mar 16: The Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Youth Chefs Club of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, during Culinary Art India 2026, held alongside AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening culinary ties between India and Sri Lanka while providing avenues for professional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cultural interaction among young chefs.
The MoU was signed by Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of ICF, and Chef Chamodh Peiris, Founder & Chairperson of the Youth Chefs Club of Ceylon, in the presence of leading chefs and culinary professionals attending the event. The collaboration will facilitate chef participation in culinary competitions, training programs, workshops, and cultural exchange initiatives, creating opportunities for young culinary professionals to learn from diverse gastronomic traditions and global practices.
Speaking on the partnership, Chef Davinder Kumar, President of ICF, said,
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to strengthening international culinary relationships and creating meaningful opportunities for chefs and young culinary professionals. By working together with the Youth Chefs Club of Ceylon, we aim to encourage exchange of skills, culinary traditions, and professional knowledge that will benefit the next generation of chefs.”
Chef Vivek Saggar added,
“Culinary Art India has always served as an important platform that brings together chefs and culinary professionals from across the world. This MoU strengthens that vision by opening new avenues for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth for chefs from both countries.”
Chef Chamodh Peiris said,
“This collaboration with the Indian Culinary Forum is a key step in enhancing culinary ties between Sri Lanka and India. We look forward to promoting knowledge exchange, cultural understanding, and professional development for young chefs while creating opportunities for the next generation of culinary talent.”
Founded in 1987, the Indian Culinary Forum is India’s premier association of professional chefs, operating as a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing culinary arts. Affiliated with the World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS), representing over nine million chefs across 110 countries, ICF continues to foster training, mentorship, and global recognition of Indian cuisine while nurturing the holistic development of young culinary professionals.
