The International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, marked a momentous occasion with its 39th Bi-Annual Convocation Ceremony on 3 April, 2025, hosted at Holiday Inn, Aerocity, New Delhi. Celebrating two decades of culinary education, mentorship, and global outreach, the event gathered industry veterans, alumni, students, and dignitaries for an evening of recognition, inspiration, and forward-looking vision.
Theme rooted in values and mentorship
The convocation was held under the central theme, ‘Culinary Leadership through Mentorship and Values.’ It emphasised the foundational pillars of the hospitality industry—discipline, adaptability, attitude, and integrity—encouraging students to embody these values as they embark on their professional journeys.
Guest speeches: wisdom from industry leaders
The evening featured powerful speeches from a distinguished panel of thought leaders:
Dr Nakul Anand, Former Executive Director, ITC Hotels, inspired students by highlighting the contrast between winners and losers, saying “Winners find solutions in every problem, while losers find problems in every opportunity.” He underlined the transformational power of attitude and discipline, citing Good to Great as an essential read for aspiring professionals.
Chef Davinder Kumar, Executive Chef & VP, Le Meridien, emphasised quality, consistency, and patience over short-term gains. He advised students to learn from industry leaders and urged faculty members to stay aligned with emerging trends and continually upskill.
Chef Sudhir Sibal, Executive Board Member, IFCA, spoke about the importance of culinary basics, urging students to understand the people they serve and master the art of self-evaluation through tasting and feedback.
Chef Suvir Saran, Michelin-Starred Chef, shared a deeply personal journey about mentorship, resilience, and passion for food. He reminded students “A true Guru teaches you to be a good human being before anything else” and emphasised the value of being a good mentor and mentee.
Kala Philips, CEO of BSI Learning Australia, addressed the students about the global relevance of BSI qualifications and how such certifications open doors to international opportunities.
Masami Oota, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, graced the event with her presence, reflecting the institution’s growing international relationships.
Alumni engagement and student awards
The convocation featured heartfelt video messages from alumni Chef Shresth Khanna and Chef Vardaan Marwah, who credited IICA for shaping their professional ethos and expressed their continued connection with the institution.
In recognition of exceptional student performance, two prestigious awards were presented:
- Devesh Singh received the Vivek Singh Datta Academic Excellence Award
- Puneet Kaur was honoured with the Divya Jyoti Academic Excellence Award
These awards reflect IICA’s emphasis on nurturing not only culinary skills but also academic dedication and holistic development.
Panel discussion: mentorship in culinary education
The theme for the panel discussion, ‘Mentoring of Culinary Institute Students by Hospitality Industry Professionals,’ highlights the crucial relationship between culinary schools and industry experts.
A compelling panel discussion was moderated by Arjun S. Datta, MD & COO of IICA. The panel included Chef Veena Arora, Chef Davinder Kumar, Chef Suvir Saran, Amit Rana (IHG) and Himanshu Bhatnagar.
Key insights from the discussion emphasised the balance between technology and tradition, communication skills, respect for mentors, and the importance of strong values and integrity. The session reinforced that mentorship is a two-way process of growth and reflection.
Honouring founders and looking ahead
In a special tribute, Alka Datta, Co-founder of IICA, was honoured by IICA faculty led by Chef Sumit Gupta, acknowledging her lifelong contribution and unwavering dedication to the institute’s foundation and growth.
Virender Singh Datta, Chairman & Founder of IICA, extended a heartfelt vote of thanks to the esteemed guests, while Arjun Singh Datta, MD & COO, also expressed his gratitude, reiterating the institution’s vision for continuous excellence.
Looking ahead, IICA shared its intention to expand its footprint, with future franchise projects being considered in Kerala and Assam, reflecting its commitment to making world-class culinary education accessible across India.
Grand celebration
The evening concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting, celebratory group photographs, and high tea—an apt culmination of a heartfelt and inspiring gathering that celebrated IICA’s legacy, community, and aspirations.
