India wins its first Silver Medal at International Culinary Olympics 2012

Chef Devwrat Jategaonkar of Radisson Blu, Resort & Spa, Alibaug bags the silver medal in the International Culinary Olympics 2012 held in Germany. Chef Jategaokar is the first Indian Chef to win a silver medal in culinary Olympics. The International Culinary Olympics is held in 4 years since last 25 years. It is organized by the World Association of Cooks Societies in collaboration with German Chefs’ Association, and is said to be the largest culinary competition in the world. The competition was held in Erfurt, Germany, between 5 to 10 October 2012 which brought together more than 2000 chefs from 75 countries. Working tirelessly for 2 months, Chef Devwrat created a 3ft x 3ft x 3ft margarine (butter) sculpture. Carrying this huge yet delicate butter sculpture in one piece, all the way from Alibaug to Germany was a challenge in itself. He, however, was richly awarded with a silver medal in the ‘culinary artistry’ category for his butter sculpture ‘Oh Cinderella’. In this sculpture, a crucial moment from the fairy tale is frozen.

Vinay Phadnis, CMD, Phadnis Group said that “India entered the culinary Olympics for the first time and we have bagged the first medal too. This is a very proud moment for us. I heartily congratulate Chef Devwrat on his outstanding achievement. India has a lot of potential in the culinary world and more and more chefs should be encouraged”

Chef Devwrat Anand Jategaonkar, an executive chef at Radisson Blu, Alibaug, all elated and happy on wining the competition said that “It’s great to be the first Indian to receive this prestigious award. In such an Olympics, generally all the participants are sponsored by their respective governments. If India also encourages its chefs by sponsoring their participation, it will definitely help in boosting Indian Hospitality Industry. I thank Vinay Phadnis, CMD Phadnis Group and Suppriya Malhotra, GM (Radisson Blu Alibaug) for giving me this opportunity to showcase my talent.”