The National Tourism Awards were hosted by the Union Ministry of Tourism

On World Tourism Day 2022, Chef Rakesh Sethi of Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia was presented the award for Best Chef of India in the presence of Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar. The award ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan and witnessed the presence of key leaders and veterans from the travel, tourism and hospitality space. Every year, the Union Ministry of Tourism hosts the National Tourism Awards to honour the professionals who have carved a niche in their field, providing unmatchable contributions to the industry.

National Tourism Awards are among the most prestigious honours within the industry and recognise talent within various categories ranging from Best Inbound Tour Operators, Best Tourist Transport Operators and Best Adventure Tour Operators to Best MICE Operator, Best Tourist Guide and Best Wildlife Guide, amongst others.

Currently, as the Corporate Executive Chef at Radisson Hotel Group, Chef Sethi is responsible for strengthening the Group’s F&B offerings across its over 100 operating hotels in more than 60 locations in India. He has been closely involved in designing exclusive menus, creating progressive Indian cuisine dishes and presenting his interpretations of traditional Indian recipes in a contemporary style. He is also the force behind Meetha, a premium offering of curated Indian sweets by Radisson Hotels. The Meetha menu and its signature recipes are curated by Chef Rakesh and the high-quality mithais are freshly made using the finest, handpicked ingredients.

In a career spanning more than three decades, Chef Sethi has built a robust body of experience and expertise in the hospitality and F&B industry. An alumnus of The Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi, he is an industry veteran with a significant length of experience in the kitchens of renowned hospitality brands across the country.

Commenting on the Chef’s win, Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “This is truly a glorious moment for us at Radisson Hotel Group and I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Chef Rakesh Sethi for his spectacular win. This is the recognition of our dedication to providing our guests with a wholesome and palatable experience with the carefully curated dishes by the Chef. Our guests will always be at the forefront of everything we do, and this recognition is proof of Chef’s hard work turned into success in this competitive marketplace.”

Expressing his thoughts on receiving the honour, Chef Sethi said, “The National Tourism Award is one of the most prestigious accolades for the travel and tourism industry. I am absolutely thrilled to be awarded the Best Chef of India. This is a great honour for me personally and professionally, and winning it, in the wake of one of the most evolutionary times we have had to live through, is testimony to the resilience and fighting spirit of my industry colleagues and our patrons. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey so far.”