Chef Deepak Verma has been named Chef Excellence of the Year at the Golden Crown Achievement Awards 2026, marking a significant milestone in his nearly two-decade career in the hospitality industry. The award was presented to Chef Verma by Bollywood actress Geetanjali Mishra at the awards ceremony in New Delhi.
Chef Verma currently serves as Senior Sous Chef at Le Méridien New Delhi, where he is involved in culinary operations, menu execution, kitchen coordination, food quality and hygiene standards. His role also includes working with culinary teams to maintain consistency and efficiency during daily service.
Over nearly 20 years in the industry, Chef Verma has developed experience across professional kitchen operations, menu planning, team coordination and quality management. His hands-on approach combines culinary skills with the operational discipline required in a busy hospitality environment.
The Chef Excellence of the Year title comes as Chef Verma continues to contribute to the culinary operations at Le Méridien New Delhi. At the senior kitchen level, his responsibilities extend beyond food preparation to include coordination between teams, maintaining service standards and supporting the development of kitchen professionals.
For Chef Verma, the occasion also reflects the collective effort involved in running a successful kitchen. He credits the mentors, colleagues and culinary teams who have supported his development throughout his career.
“Receiving the Chef Excellence of the Year title at the Golden Crown Achievement Awards 2026 is a meaningful milestone in my journey,” said Chef Deepak Verma. “Culinary excellence is always a team effort, built through discipline, learning and the commitment of everyone working behind the scenes. I am grateful to my mentors and colleagues who have supported my growth, and I look forward to continuing to learn, create and contribute to the hospitality industry.”
The award adds to Chef Verma’s professional accomplishments and reflects his continued involvement in the evolving culinary and hospitality landscape.