Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026 Celebrates 'Redefining Excellence' in Food and Lifestyle
The fourth edition of the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026 concluded with grandeur in Mumbai, spotlighting the visionaries transforming India's culinary and lifestyle landscape. Held at the prestigious Taj Santacruz, the event brought together influential figures from across the food and lifestyle ecosystem, reinforcing its status as a premier industry recognition platform.
A Night of Innovation and Recognition
Centered on the theme 'Redefining Excellence,' the awards honored avant-garde restaurants, bars, cafés, spirit brands, hospitality concepts, experiential dining formats, and content creators. These winners are reshaping the cultural and culinary contours of India, pushing boundaries with their creativity and innovation.
The evening featured a distinguished gathering of industry stalwarts, creative leaders, and cultural icons. Celebrities such as Shalini Pandey, Madhurima Tuli, Karan Tacker, Avneet Kaur, Harleen Sethi, and Armaan Jain graced the red carpet, adding glamour to the celebrations. The ceremony applauded culinary talents for their craft, consistency, and innovative spirit across various categories.
Powerhouse Jury and Industry Insights
The awards were backed by an exceptional jury panel, including veteran food critic Rashmi Uday Singh, restaurateur AD Singh, chefs Doma Wang, Rahul Akerkar, Ajay Chopra, and Karishma Sakhrani, food historian Sadaf Hussain, food writers Priya Ganapathy and Rukshana Kapadia, and mixologist Nitin Tewari. Their diverse expertise ensured winners were selected based on quality, originality, and cultural context.
Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer – ZEEL & Zee5, commented, "At ZEE, we believe excellence deserves a platform as expansive as its impact. With Zee Zest Unlimit Awards – Redefining Excellence, we leverage our omni-channel network to spotlight culinary trailblazers and honor visionaries evolving India's gastronomic culture." Alenkar Pathare – Business Head, Zee Zest & Youth, added, "India's food and lifestyle landscape is experiencing a dynamic shift led by new entrepreneurs and creators. These awards celebrate innovation, recognizing brands and individuals shaping fresh narratives and pushing creative boundaries."
Entertainment and Sponsorship Highlights
The celebration was energized by a high-performance from the Indian rock band Agnee, captivating the audience with vibrant music. Standup comedian Prashasti Singh added laughter to the evening, creating a memorable experience for attendees.
Supported by co-presenter L'Oréal Paris, co-powered by SR Queens, with special partner Rajesh Masala, fragrance partner Wild Stone, energy drink partner Hell Energy Drink, and associate sponsor Dhananjay Foods, the event stood as a vibrant celebration of creativity, enterprise, and cultural influence.
Award Winners and Broadcast Details
The Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026 recognized numerous winners across categories, including:
- Best Japanese Restaurant: Naru Noodle Bar, Bengaluru
- Best Luxury Dining Restaurant: The Table, Mumbai
- Chef of the Year (Male): Gresham Fernandes, Bandra Born, Mumbai
- Unlimit Icon: Chef Manish Mehrotra
- Best Cloud Kitchen: The Junglee Kitchen by Armaan Jain
The awards telecast is scheduled for March 29 on Zee Zest SD and HD, with streaming available on Zee5, allowing a wider audience to witness the celebration of excellence.
This edition reaffirmed Zee Zest's commitment to highlighting innovation that shapes India's evolving food, travel, and lifestyle narrative, building on the momentum of previous years.
