Categories: AwardsCurrent Affairs

World Food Prize Honour This Padmashree Awardee Chef

Celebrated chef, author and Padma Shri awardee Sanjeev Kapoor has been recognised by the World Food Prize Foundation (WFPF) as one of its 2025 Top Agri‑Food Pioneers (TAP). The honour highlights his work far beyond the kitchen — linking culinary expertise, nutrition advocacy, and agricultural sourcing into a unified agenda for better food systems. According to the Foundation’s profile, Kapoor has helped deliver over 2.5 million nutrient‑rich meals to schoolchildren and championed bio‑fortified crops such as iron‑rich pearl millet and zinc‑rich wheat.

Why He Was Honoured

Kapoor was recognised not only for his culinary excellence but for using food as a platform to address deeper challenges in India’s nutrition and agri‑ecosystem. His leadership in initiatives like ‘Nutri Pathshala’, which connects schools, farmers, and nutrition programmes, played a key role in this honour.

His work reflects a unique mix of,

Culinary innovation rooted in Indian traditions
Advocacy for nutrition-rich meals across schools and communities
Promotion of sustainable sourcing from Indian farmers
Public awareness campaigns linking food with health, agriculture, and social impact

Broader Significance

Kapoor’s recognition positions hospitality and culinary innovation within the global agri‑food conversation.
It sends a strong signal that food businesses focusing on local, sustainable, and nutritious offerings can receive global validation.
It creates a case study of how chefs can influence agricultural practices, community health, and global policy narratives.

About the World Food Prize Foundation

Established by: Dr. Norman Borlaug (Nobel Peace Prize laureate)
Year Founded: 1986
Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Mission: To recognise individuals advancing food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and innovation in food systems