Members of the Organising Committee of the International Chefs Day and Chef Awards led by Shri Anil Bhandari, Chairman met Shri Tejendra Khanna, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of NCT Delhi on 18 August 2009 for Cheque Presentation to PHD Family Welfare Foundation (PHDFWF) and Plan India at Raj Bhawan, New Delhi.  

Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presented the cheques of Rs.75,000/- each to Ms. Bhagyashri Dengle, Executive Director, PLAN India and Shri Jaswant Rai, Chairman, PHDFWF,  representatives of the two charities.  The donation to the charities was made out of the proceeds of the Chef Awards 2008. 

Shri Anil Bhandari in his welcome remarks informed the Lt. Governor about the multifarious objectives of constituting the Chef Awards and highlighted the commendable contribution of the culinary artisans to the tourism industry in particular and the society at large through their ongoing effort called the Chef and Child. He also apprised the LG about the constitution of the Chef Awards, its jury, nominations, and the Charity Dinner. 

Shri Krishan Kalra, Secretary General, PHD Chamber was also present. He acquainted the LG with the charitable work being carried out by the beneficiary charities. 

Shri Tejendra Khanna, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi, congratulated the PHD Chamber for this noble initiative and agreed that the culinary artisans need to be acknowledged and recognized at the right forum.  He also appreciated the way the awards have been linked with the charitable cause. He further added that the society is like a Huge Common Social Table where every professional makes contributions through his or her work and also withdraws benefits from. Therefore it is essential that everyone contributes to this table with hundred percent commitment, honesty and sincerity.  Good Ethics in every profession along with honesty and commitment can go a long way not only in promoting that particular  profession but also contribute to the nation’s pride and growth.  He also suggested that efforts should be made for documentation of the traditional recipes and wisdom which has been inherited by the generations orally over the years. 

He also invited the Chefs to devise a course for providing vocational training in culinary art to students under the Delhi Government’s Skills’ Mission. 

The meeting concluded with a Vote of thanks by Chef Manisha Bhasin, President, Indian Culinary Forum. Other chefs who were present on the occasion included Chef Devender Kumar, Chef Suman Sharma, Chef Sudhir Sibal and Chef Vivek Sagar.