A glittering evening to recognize the best in Food Industry
The Fifth edition of Gurgaon’s biggest and most popular food awards “The Big F Awards 2018” which concluded recently, was an evening to remember with the charisma of India’s top celebrity Chefs. The night was packed with action, great entertainment and many luminaries from across the industry. It was the most spectacular show in the food industry as the evening unfolded the winners of The Big F Awards 2018.
“Over the years, The Big F Awards has become the benchmark in quality when it comes to the food and beverage industry in Gurgaon. From home chefs, to stand alone units to five star hotels, everyone gets a chance to shine”
Pawan Soni, Founder of Indian Food Freak and The Big F Awards
The glittering evening witnessed many well-known names not just from the F&B industry, but from the entertainment industry as well. The panel of judges, gracing the occasion consisted of acclaimed Chef Sabyasachi Gorai and Chef Rakesh Sethi; while the critics included food historian, Osama Jalali, author and columnist Anoothi Vishal, well-known food critic Rinku Madan and the founder of The Big F Awards, Indian Food Freak and Gurgaon Food Freak, Pawan Soni.
The top chefs of India, Rashmi Uday Singh, Chef Ranveer Brar, Chef Vicky Ratnani, Chef Manisha Bhasin, Chef Vikrant Batra, A.D. Singh, Zorawar Kalra, etc were the guests of honour.
A new special award, Young Chef of the Year was introduced this year to honour young talent in the food industry. The award was sponsored by Chef Ranveer Brar, the winner was also rewarded with INR 50000 cash and will get training from a reputed culinary institute. Mr. A.D. Singh and Mr. Rahul Akerkar were honoured with Icon of Indian Restaurant Industry Award for putting in hours of hard work to make the spaces succeed and bringing the revolution in the food industry. Mr. Vikrant Batra was awarded with the Restaurateur of the Year Award (Popular Choice) for Café Delhi Heights and Nueva and Mr. Manish Sharma was awarded with Restaurateur of the Year Award (Jury) for Molecule and The Drunken Botanist.
The evening started off with a bang by Karan Arora(who was the emcee for the award ceremony), post which the award ceremony was held among a lot of good will and friendly banter. The evening also witnessed the live performance of Shibani Kashyap and Rapper AJ Singh. Their performance made the evening more memorable and fun.
Pawan Soni, Founder Indian Food Freak and The Big F awards commented on the event, “Over the years, The Big F Awards has become the benchmark in quality when it comes to the food and beverage industry in Gurgaon. From home chefs, to stand alone units to five star hotels, everyone gets a chance to shine. The awards themselves are reflective of the spirit of Gurgaon, buzzing, alive and full of excitement and innovation. This is a night when the industry comes to celebrate it’s finest and also to let their hair down and enjoy a great evening as well. The level of goodwill garnered by the awards was amply showcased by the enthusiastic and overwhelming response that the public choice awards received in terms of votes with over 1.25 lacs individual votes across the various categories which is 3 times more than the last year. ”
With each passing year, The Big F Awards are now being recognised as an important milestone for every restaurateur.
Winners of The Big F Awards
| Categories | Popular Choice | Jury |
| Indian Cuisines | ||
| North Indian | Made In Punjab | Curry Singh Kitchen |
| Indian Regional Cuisine | Wonders of Kashmir – Khyen Chyen | Zambar |
| Modern Indian | Farzi Café | Prankster |
| World Cuisine | ||
| All Day Dining in a 5 Star Hotel | Seasonal Tastes (The Westin) | Latest Recipe (Le Meridian) |
| Café | Café Staywoke | Café Delhi Heights |
| Chinese | Yum Yum Cha | Mamagoto & Eest – The Westin |
| European Cuisine | Prego (The Westin) | Zanotta – Cucina Italiana (The Leela Ambience) |
| Mediterranean | Lub Lub Lebanese | The Pasta Bowl Company |
| Other World Cuisine | Burma Burma | Hahn’s Kitchen |
| Gurgaon Special | ||
| Biryani | Biryani Art | Biryani Blues |
| Bakery | The Coco Company | The Bombaykery |
| Home Baker | Cake In The Box (Jaya Agarwal) | Dessert Art (Deepali Modi) & Sweet Nothings (Anu & Shruti) |
| Home Chefs Veg | Shipra’s Kitchen (Shipra Mathur) | By Shachi Jain (Shachi Jain) & Marwadi Khana (Abhilasha Jain) |
| Home Chefs (Non-Veg) | – | Gul’s Kitchen (Gul Ali) & Mrs Ahmed Kitchen (Shaista Iqbal) |
| Online & Offline Delivery Outlet | World In A Box | Flames of India & Sushi Junction |
| Pizza | Tossin Pizza | Insta Pizza |
| Sports Bar | Howzatt (Galaxy Hotel) | SMAAASH |
| QSR’s (Quick Service Restaurant) | Nukkadwala | Street Foods by Punjab Grill |
| Nightlife | ||
| Best Stocked Wine & Whisky Bar | Whisky Samba | Rubican Bar and Cigar Lounge (The Leela Ambience) |
| Micro Brewery | Philtre – The Bistro | Open Tap |
| Pub/Bar | Prankster | Molecule Air Bar |
| Best Themed Restaurant/Bar/Pub | Lock & Key | The G.T. Road |
| The Big F Awards Special | ||
| Best Inhouse PR | Nidhi Verma (The Leela Ambience) | Kanchan (United Coffee House Rewind) |
| Noteworthy Newcomer of the year 2018 | United Coffee House Rewind | Pra Pra Prank |
| Restaurant of the Year 2018 | Café Delhi Heights | Farzi Café |
| Restaurateur of the Year 2018 | Vikrant Batra (Café Delhi Heights, Nueva) | Manish Sharma (Molecule, The Drunken Botanist) |
