Annual Culinary Awards honor Pakistan’s unsung culinary heroes

The best culinary talents in Pakistan gathered in Karachi over the weekend at Andalusian Banquet where the Annual Culinary Awards 2024 were held. Backed by MasterClass Pakistan Hospitality Business School, the event honored the best culinary professionals, home chefs, restaurant owners, and rising stars who have made a name for themselves during the last 12 months.

This event spotlighted Pakistan’s unsung culinary heroes, bringing together a wide spectrum of talent from across Pakistan. It not only brought together a diverse group of culinary professionals, home chefs, and members of digital food communities but also recognized the growth of Pakistan’s culinary fraternity.

Hosted by Rao Shahwaiz, the event was attended by over 500 guests, including renowned industry experts, celebrity chefs, and representatives from leading food brands. Nukta proudly partnered with MasterClass Pakistan this year to honor Pakistan’s culinary heroes.

Usama Ahmed is the visionary founder behind the Annual Culinary AwardsNukta.com

Usama Ahmed, CEO of MasterClass Pakistan, praised the hard work of chefs, restaurants, and the digital food community in his welcome address.

By acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of chefs, home cooks, and digital food influencers, the Annual Culinary Awards have elevated the profile of Pakistani cuisine and inspired the next generation of chefs and food influencers.

The awards provide emerging chefs a platform to showcase their skills, contributing to the growth and global appeal of Pakistan’s culinary heritage.

People thronged the food stalls outside the AwardsNukta.com

Here are the winners who were honored at the event

Industrial Chefs

1 Award in Culinary Chef Instructor - CHEF BASIT USMANI - CULINARY INSTRUCTOR - MASTERCLASS PAKISTAN

2 Award in Culinary Chef Instructor - CHEF SOHAIL AHMED - CULINARY INSTRUCTOR - MASTERCLASS PAKISTAN

3 Award in Patisserie Chef Instructor - CHEF HINA ISHRAT - PATISSERIE INSTRUCTOR - MASTERCLASS PAKISTAN

4 Award in Patisserie Chef Instructor - CHEF SALMAN KHATRI - PATISSERIE INSTRUCTOR - MASTERCLASS PAKISTAN

5 Award in Restaurant Consultant Chef - CHEF RAHEEL JOHN - RESTAURANT CONSULTANT

6 Award in Food Stylist Category - CHEF SAMAD - VEGAS STUDIO

7 Award in Cafe Chef Category - CHEF ASIF AZIZ - TERRAZA RESTAURANT

8 Award in Sou Chef Category - CHEF FURQAN - MOVENPICK HOTEL KARACHI

9 Award in Fine Dining Chef Category - CHEF PIRU - CAFE AYLATNO

10 Award in Resort Chef Category - CHEF ZIA UDDIN - MARINA CLUB

11 Award in 5 Star Hotel Ex.Chef Category - CHEF AMIR RIZVI - RAMADA PLAZA

12 Life Time Achievement Award - CHEF SHAREEF BALOCH - WILDFLOWER

13 Life Time Achievement Award - CHEF ARIF SHAHAB - YOUNGS

14 Life Time Achievement Award - CHEF QAHAR - BBQ TONIGHT

15 Award in Rising Star Chef Category - CHEF MEHDI - CHERI

16 Award in Exceptional Patisserie Chef Category - CHEF WASIM MASIH - CREEK CLUB

17 Award in Continental Chef Category - CHEF KARIM BAIG - COCONUT GROOVE

18 Award in Mediterranean Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF ALI SHIGRI - CAFE SIROC

19 Award in Pan-Asian Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF AURANGZEB - TIMEOUT RESTAURANT

20 Award in Middle-Eastern Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF AZHAR JAMIL - ALA RAHI

21 Award in Traditional Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF IMRAN - HAVELI

22 Award in Turkish Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF AZAM - COFFEE TIME TURBAT

23 Award in Japenese Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF KASHIF BALOCH - COCOCHAN

24 Award in Chinese Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF FAISAL GOURI - ARENA CLUB

25 Award in BBQ Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF KABIR - BBQ TONIGHT

26 Award in Fast Food Expert Category - CHEF HAJI SALEEM - ROLL POINT

27 Award in Expert Barista Category - JOHN - COCONUT GROOVE

28 Award In Italian Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF TANVEER HUSSAIN - MOVENPICK HOTEL KARACHI

29 Award in Hospital Sector Chef Category - CHEF RASHEED - AGHA KHAN

30 Award in R&D Expert Chef Category - SYED WASEEM AHMED - WAH BRAND

31 Award in Rising R&D Chef Category - CHEF MUQADDAS - ENIGMA

32 Award for Promising Chef female - CHEF RAMSHA KHURRAM - D'BREWD

33 Award for Promising Chef Male - CHEF ISRAR - DELFRIO

34 Award for Special Needs Chef Instructor - CHEF ASIF SOHERWARDY - CULINARY INSTRUCTOR - LEARNING HANDS REHABILIATION CENTRE

35 Award in Catering Chef Category - CHEF SYED SHAHZAD HASHMI - PIA FLIGHT CATERING

36 Award in Chef De Cuisine Category - CHEF EJAZ BURNEY - MARIOTT

37 Award in Pakistani Cuisine Chef Category - CHEF RONY MICHAEL - KOLACHI

38 Award in Overseas Pakistani Chef - CHEF ZAHRA DEMI - HESTON BLUEMENTHOL DUBAI

39 Award in Pasta Expert Chef - CHEF HAIDER - BROCCOLI PIZZA & PASTA

40 Award in Cakes Expert - CHEF HARIS HAMEED - LAL QILA

41 Award in Versatile Chef Category - CHEF MIRAJ AHMED - BEACH LUXURY HOTEL

42 Award in Welfare Excellence Chef Category - CHEF FARHAN SHAHID - SAYLANI WELFARE

43 Award in food application Chef Category - CHEF WASEEM HAIDER - MANGWAO

44 Award in Desi Cuisine Chef Expert - CHEF ABDUL KHALIQUE - MAILMA

45 Award in Best Buffet Chef Of The Year - CHEF SAQIB KHAN - CHAUPAL RESTAURANT

46 Award in Burger Expert Chef - CHEF INAYAT - FREAK N FRY

47 Award in Pizza Expert Category - CHEF AHSAN JAVED - BROADWAY

48 Award in Premier Hospitality Category - YASEEN XANDERS

49 Award for Sales Apllication Chef - CHEF HIRA LAIQUE - NESTLE

50 Award in Versatile Pizza Chain Chefs - CHEF INAYAT, CHEF ADEEL, CHEF YAQOOB - CHEFS FROM CALIFORNIA

The elated winner receives his trophy at the Annual Culinary Awards 2024Nukta.com

Restaurants

1 Best PAKISTANI RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - LAL QILA

2 Best MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - ALA RAHI

3 Best ITALIAN RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - POMO

4 Best JAPANESE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - YAZU

5 Best BBQ RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - NOUMAN RESTAURANT

6 Best HIGHWAY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - HERITAGE

7 Best CHINESE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - SUIJING

8 LEGACY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR AL-HAJ BUNDOO KHAN

9 Best STEAK HOUSE OF THE YEAR - PRIME 109

10 Best DESSERT SPOT OF THE YEAR - WAFFLE HUB

11 Best PIZZERIA SPOT OF THE YEAR - RED BRICK

12 Best FAST FOOD SPOT OF THE YEAR - HAMMAD FOODS

13 Best BEST SWEET DELICACY OF THE YEAR - KHALID SWEETS

14 Best CASUAL DINING OF THE YEAR - ROYAL ICE & SPICE

15 Award FOR Best BIRYANI OF THE YEAR - NASEEB BIRYANI

16 Award FOR TRADITIONAL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - SINDHRI RESTAURANT

17 Award FOR MOST SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BRAND OF THE YEAR - COFFEE WAGERA MUSH PANJWANI

18 Award FOR SNACK HOUSE OF THE YEAR - NIMCO

19 Best PIZZA-CHAIN OF THE YEAR - BROADWAY

20 Best PIZZA-CHAIN OF THE YEAR – INTERNATIONAL - DOMINOS

21 Best BURGER CHAIN OF THE YEAR - BURGER O CLOCK

22 Best BAKERY OF THE YEAR - UNITED KING

23 Best FAST FOOD CHAIN OF THE YEAR - OPTP

24 Best COFFEE HOUSE OF THE YEAR - MELBREW

25 Best CAFE OF THE YEAR - DELFRIO

26 Best RESTAURANT FOR MOST INNOVATIVE FASTFOOD MENU - CHILLI TRY FRY

27 Best FINE DINE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - IZAKAYA

28 NEW ENTRANT OF THE YEAR - THE BIG PIZZA

29 Award FOR FOOD CHAIN OF THE YEAR - KABABJEES FRIED CHICKEN

30 Award FOR CONTRIBUTION FOR RESTAURANT INDUSTRY APRA - MUSH PANJWANI, UMAIR IDRESS, ZAHOOR AHMED

Another elated winner receives his trophy at the Annual Culinary Awards 2024Nukta.com

Digital Food Community

1 Award for Best Digital Media Platform ADNAN FAYSAL CEO FHM

2 Award for Most Versatile Food & Culture Influencer - BILAL HASSAN

3 Award for Expert Food Influencer - NEHA YUSUF

4 Award for Best Food Photographer of the Year - SYED KUMAIL - CAMERA WALA

5 Award for Most Promising Street Food Youtuber of the Year - SUMAIR KHAN - KUCH EXTRA KAR

6 Award for Women Empowerment Community - SAMIA LARI - CEBO MANAGEMENT COMPANY

7 Award for Most Engaging Food Community - NEZIHE HUSSAIN - SWOTS GUIDE

8 Award for Best Food Festival Brand of Pakistan - OMAR OMARI - EAT FOOD FESTIVAL

9 Award for Chef Influencer of the Year MALE - ASAD MONGA

10 Award for Chef Influencer of the Year FEMALE CHEF - JAVARIA HUSSAIN

11 Award for Digital Food Curator of the Year - AYESHA KHAN - AYESHA FOOD DAIRY

12 Award for Best Connoisseur of the Year - OSAMA TAHIR - OSAMA EATS

13 Award for Best Commercial Food Stylist of the Year - YOUSUF RAJPUT

Influencer Irfan Junejo stole the spotlight at the eventNukta.com

Home Chefs & Online Entrepreneurs

1 Award for Commercial Caterer in Baking Online - RABIA MAQSOOD CUPS N CAKES BY RM

2 Award for Commercial Caterer in Savory Online - SUMERA ANWER SWEET AND SAVOURY BY SUMERA

3 Award for Most Engaging Home Chef Community - SANIYA KHAN MASTERCHEFS AT HOME

4 Award for Food Platter Expert - CHANDNI ASFANDYAR HOT OVEN BY C

5 Award for Fastest Growing Business - JAWERIA SHAHZAD FRUTIEEZE

6 Award for Best Artisan Bread Expert - ANGELICA SCHWARZ BACKERE

7 Award for Best Artisan Cakes Expert - MUNIRA MURTAZA ZAHRA LUXURY PASTRIES

8 Award for Best Online Baker - SARINA KAMRAN THE BAKE STREET

9 Award for Healthy Food Expert - HUMA WASTI KETO CLAN BY HUMA WASTI

10 Award for Best Online Pakistani Food Expert - ALIA CHUGHTAI AUR CHAWAL

11 Award for Best Toddler Food Expert - SUGHRA HASSAN RAZA LUNCH BOX BY UROUGE

12 Award for Best Online Entreprenuer of the Year-MALE - JUNAID YOUSUFI JAY B

13 Award for Best Online Entreprenuer of the Year-FEMALE - SAIMA ATHER SAIMA HOMEMADE FOOD

Participants and audience were treated to gourmet dishes ranging from artisanal pastries to fusion cuisineNukta.com

CELEBRITY CHEFS’ CATEGORY

1 Award of Cooking Influencer of the Year – Male CHEF JALAL HAIDER

2 Award of Cooking Influencer of the Year – Female CHEF ZARNAK SIDHWA

3 Award for TV Personality of the Year - CHEF MEHBOOB KHAN

4 Award for Nutritional Chef Influencer - CHEF HAMZA AZIM

5 Award for Rising Chef Tv Personality - Female CHEF SAMIYA ASIM

6 Award for the Rising Chef TV personality - CHEF SAAD BUTT

7 Lifetime Achievement Award - CHEF SAMINA JALIL

8 Award for Best Cooking Show Host - ABEEL JAWED

9 Award for Celebrity Chef Judge - CHEF GULZAR HUSSAIN

Another elated winner receives his trophy at the Annual Culinary Awards 2024Nukta.com

Students

1 Student Excellence Award – Male MUHAMMAD ZOHAIB MANSOORI

2 Student Excellence Award - Female ASIA FAISAL

3 Best Entrepreneurial Student of the Year - HANSA ZUBAIR

4 Award for Academic Star of the Year - EMUN NAEEM

5 Most Diligence Student of the Year - AYESHA JAFRI

6 Most Social Media Active Student Award - ALEEZA HUSSAIN

7 Rising Alumni Star of Masterclass Pakistan - MUSHKBAR FATIMA, AHSAN NAEEM, HUMA SALMAN, SUKAINA IQBAL, ABID HUSSAIN RIZVI