CAP & COTHM host world’s largest assembly of professional chefs at International Chefs Day 2024 in Pakistan

Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP), in the strategic partnership with College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM), Chocolate Academy and Diet Studio hosted the highly anticipated International Chefs Day 2024 and Chefs Achievement Awards 2024 (2nd Edition) on October 18, 2024 at Alhamra Hall 1, Mall Road, Lahore. With more than 5000 professional chefs donning their signature white jackets from across Pakistan, the event was a grand celebration of culinary excellence and innovation.

Shan Foods took the lead as the event’s platinum sponsor, while the occasion was powered by Cheezious and Unilever Food Solutions. Other notable partners included Ambassador Commercial Kitchen Equipment, KnN’s, and Blue Band.

The event was graced by Chaudhary Shafay Hussain, Minister for Industries, Commerce & Investment, as the Chief Guest. Esteemed figures such as Asim Javed, Director General of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), Shahid Nazeer Chaudhry, Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Nisar Chaudhry, Executive Director of Yum Group, Ammar Mohsin, Co-Partner at Rina’s Kitchenette, and Brig. (Retd.) Muhammad Sajid Khokhar, Chairman of TEVTA, attended as guests of honour.

CAP President Ahmad Shafiq welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of celebrating the chefs’ community and its contribution to the country’s culinary landscape. A symbolic awareness walk was held to commemorate the contributions of professional chefs. The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, sponsored by Bread & Beyond.

Awards and Recognitions

The second edition of Chefs Achievement Awards was organized on the day of the event to recognize the services of culinary maestros across various culinary categories. A special tribute was paid to the professional trainers of COTHM and the Chocolate Academy, honoring them with certificates of appreciation for their exceptional contributions.

The winners of Chefs Achievement Awards 2024 are listed below:
Young Chefs Awards:

1. Amna Munir – Young Chocolatier/Confectionery Artist
2. Bilal Aziz – Bait al Mandi

Chefs Achievement Awards:

1. Best Chef of the Year – Modern Pakistani: Chef Akhtar Rehman (Spice Bazar)
2. Best Chef of the Year – Traditional Pakistani: Chef Iftikhar Shafi (Haveli)
3. Best Chef of the Year – Fusion Pakistani: Chef Usman Ahmad (Monal)
4. Best Chef of the Year – Italian: Chef Imran Malik (Tuscany Courtyard)
5. Best Chef of the Year – Chinese: Chef Muhammad Hussain (Yum! Chinese)
6. Best Chef of the Year – Turkish: Chef Mustafa Goler (Nisa Sultan)
7. Best Chef of the Year – Pizza: Chef Subhan Khalid (Cheezious)
8. Best Chef of the Year – Burgers: Chef Kashif Ibrahim (Brim Burgers)
9. Best Chef – Emerging Catering Brand: Chef Zahra Khan (Paola’s Cosa Nostra)
10. Best Chef – Bakery: Chef Wakeel Ahmed (Tehzeeb)
11. Best Chef of the Year – Japanese: Chef Daanyal Raza Ahmad (Sumo)
12. Best Chef of the Year – Continental: Chef Ali Abbas (Café Aylanto)
13. Best Chef – Pakistani Sweets: Chef Muhammad Asif Raza (Chashni Sweets)
14. Best Chef of the Year – Café: Chef Muhammad Iqbal (Arcadian Café)
15. Best Chef of the Year – Pan Asian: Chef Haroon Ali (Bamboo Union)
16. Best Chef – Street Food (Modern): Chef Muhammad Aslam (Bombay Chowpatty)
17. Best Chef – Lahori Street Food: Chef Arif Butt (Arif Chatkhara)
18. Best Chef of the Year – Desserts: Chef Yasmeen Hasan (Pink Pistachio)
19. Chef of the Year – Healthy Food: Chef Muhammad Waseem (Diet 360)
20. Best Chef – New Concept: Chef Hamza Malik (The Carnivore), Chef Hamza Tariq (Fred)
    Contribution to Industry Awards honored chefs for their long-standing contributions:
21. Chef Tasawar Abbas (Steak Away)
22. Chef Shahzad Ali (Luxus Grand)
23. Chef Muhammad Azam Zafar (PC Hotel Lahore)
24. Chef Muhammad Sajjad (Four Points by Sheraton)
25. Chef Hadayat Ali (Novu Pan Asian)
26. Chef Muhammad Anwar (Raya Defence Club)
27. Chef Hashim Ali (Heritage Luxury Suites)
28. Chef Naeem Jamil (Sweet Affairs)

Many more contributing chefs were recognized for their significant industry impact.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were bestowed upon Chef Tariq Amin and Chef Mehboob Khan, acknowledging their extraordinary contributions to Pakistan’s culinary heritage.

The event also witnessed the induction of Chef Hamza Malik and Chef Ahsan Khan into the National Culinary Team of Pakistan (NCTP), where they were awarded their ceremonial belts.

CAP President Ahmad Shafiq took the opportunity to announce the Pakistan International Culinary Championship 2025 – Season 7, slated for the year 2025, with teams of professional chefs from across the globe expected to participate. He proudly highlighted the growing influence of Pakistan’s chefs, noting that the overwhelming turnout is a proof of the vibrant and dynamic chef community in the country.

CAP Vice President (Corporate) Waqar Ilyas also expressed that CAP continues to champion the rights and professional development of chefs across Pakistan.

The Chief Guest Chaudhary Shafay Hussain commended CAP and COTHM for organizing such a remarkable event, noting the pivotal role these platforms play in uplifting Pakistan’s culinary sector.
Tourism, Archaeology, and Museums Department Secretary, Farid Ahmad Tarar, emphasized that the chefs’ community is the driving force behind the success of the tourism sector. He also extended his heartfelt congratulations to CAP and COTHM for organizing such a grand and successful gathering.

LCCI Vice President Shahid Nazeer Chaudhry and PFA DG Asim Javed echoed similar sentiments, lauding the efforts of CAP and COTHM in strengthening the chefs’ community and fostering culinary talent.

This prestigious gathering proved to be a milestone in the recognition and celebration of Pakistan’s chefs, further elevating the standards of the culinary industry.