The Big F Awards will return with its 13th edition, bringing together industry voices and emerging talent for an evening focused on recognition through a structured and transparent system. Scheduled to take place in The Westin Gurgaon on 16th September 2026, the upcoming edition continues to build on a format that prioritizes merit-led selection.
The platform follows an inclusive model, inviting participation from across categories and ensuring entries are assessed without bias. This approach allows professionals and brands from varied backgrounds to present their work before an independent panel. As a truly democratic set of awards, it is defined by a transparent, rigorous, and genuinely impartial jury process.
A distinguished panel has been assembled for this edition, featuring Chef Nita Mehta, Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Pawan Soni, Diwan Gautam Anand, Sameer Bawa, Khurafati Nitin, Rocky Singh, and Anirudh Singhal. Their combined experience across culinary arts, hospitality, media, and business brings range and perspective to the review process.
The evaluation framework is designed with defined stages and clear parameters. Submissions move through screening and scoring rounds, guided by criteria that ensure consistency and clarity at all levels. This method strengthens confidence in the outcome and supports a fair selection process.
Sharing his perspective ahead of the awards, Pawan Soni, Host Big F Awards explained that the awards aim to recognize work that often goes unnoticed, especially from emerging players and smaller formats that rarely find space on larger platforms. “The team has worked to ensure wider outreach so that participation is not limited by scale or visibility. He also pointed out that the response over the years has grown steadily, with entries coming in from new players and formats. The intent is to build a platform that reflects the diversity of the industry, where different voices, ideas, and formats find equal opportunity for recognition without building unnecessary categories,” he noted.
With entries from across segments and with already 50,000+ public votes, the 13th edition is shaping up to be a strong showcase of work from across the industry. The final winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony, as always.
