Naga chef Aketoli Zhimomi was ranked 45 in the Culinary Culture’s Food Superstars (FSS) #Next30 list released on September 16.
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 16
Naga chef Aketoli Zhimomi was ranked 45 in the Culinary Culture’s Food Superstars (FSS) #Next30 list released on September 16.
The FoodSuperstars #Next30 is an extended list that shines a spotlight on 30 more outstanding chefs – celebrating a wider circle of talent shaping India’s culinary culture, beyond the Top 30.
The 2025 #Next30 was released on September 16.
It is a prelude to the Food Superstars, termed the biggest celebration of the Indian Chef community. The 4th edition, slated to be held on September 26 and 27 in Kolkata this year, will reveal India’s top 30 chefs.
The #Next30 is a new initiative to include and extend the platform to an even wider circle of exceptionally talented chefs shaping India’s culinary culture.
“With this, we continue our mission to honour and celebrate the chefs who define and drive India’s food story,” the culinary culture co wrote.
In 2013, Zhimomi won the inaugural Naga Chef competition, and over the years, she has earned various accolades and has become a celebrated chef. She runs The Ethnic Table restaurant in Dimapur, with a focus on modern Naga cuisine and indigenous ingredients.
Mention may be made that, earlier in 2023, she was honoured by Culinary Culture as one of India’s Top 30 chefs (No. 26).
“It is an honour getting the recognition for the works. Such a huge boost to morale and a motivation to improve and go further,” Zhimomi told The Morung Express on Tuesday.
“It is still an overwhelming feeling but I guess 2023 was even more special being the 1st time…Nonetheless, it validates that our cuisine has a lot more to offer than for what it’s perceived to be and now we are on the map,” she added.
Identifying as “India’s definitive voice in food,” Culinary Culture is an independent rating system, awarding stars to restaurants and rewarding India’s top chefs, gourmet delivery kitchens, street food vendors and home-chefs. It organizes global culinary exchanges, and has a large and dedicated community of followers across its social platforms.
