Centre of Excellence for Culinary Art was launched at the Faculty of Hotel Management (FHM),
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) today. The centre has
been established in collaboration with Creative Cuisine Inc. Learning, founded by Mr. Virender
Handa and co-founded by Chef Kapil Middha. The Centre of Excellence is fully equipped with
top-of-the-line equipment and a comprehensive collection of cooking essentials to prepare
students for the industry. To start with, the centre is offering B.Sc. in Culinary Arts and will soon
be launching an advanced diploma programme in the same genre.
The centre was inaugurated in the august presence of Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, Manav
Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI); Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, MREI; Mr. Virender
Handa, Founder, CCi; Chef Kapil Middha, Co-Founder and Culinary Director, CCi; Master
Chef Vicky Ratnani; Star Chef Osama Jalali, Star Chef Nishant Choubey; DG R.K. Anand,
Dean, FHM, MRIIRS; Ms. Ritika Singh, Director, FHM; and other senior dignitaries from Manav
Rachna.
Dr. Prashant Bhalla shared the glorious 25-year journey of Manav Rachna Educational
Institutions whereas Dr. Amit Bhalla brought the vision of culinary and hospitality to limelight.
Chef Kapil Middha shared how CCi is committed to designing a beautiful experience for each
and every guest, and shared his far-sighted vision in terms of the Centre of Excellence
established at Manav Rachna with CCi as a Knowledge Partner. He shared, “CCi Learning aims
to share the experience of Star Chefs with the students and faculty members wherein their
expertise and knowledge will symbolize a shift in hospitality education.”
This was followed by an insightful Panel Discussion and Career Talk by the Master Chefs: Chef
Vicky Ratnani, Chef Kapil Middha, Chef Osama Jalali and Chef Nishant Choubey wherein they
shared insights into career opportunities in culinary arts.
Along with the Master Chef guests, many renowned personalities from the industry were also
present for the grand launch, namely Padma Shri Dr. Pushpesh Pant : Noted Indian academic,
food critic and historian, Mr. Kush Kapoor – CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts; Mr. Anshuman
Malik – Co Founder, Harajuku Tokyo Café and Head of Business, Blueplate Hospitality; Mr.
Rituraj Khanna – CEO, Q Events Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Ravish Kapoor – Designer, Innovative
Invitations; Ankur Chawla – FnB Professional, Entrepreneur, Sommelier, author and TedX
Speaker; Siddharth Malhotra – Head of Operations, Massive Restaurants Pvt Ltd; Chandan
Ratra – Director, Katalyst Entertainment Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Anshuman Sood – Founder, Home Chef
Association of India & Food blogger; Mr. Rajesh Joon – AGM & Zonal Head, Rohtak zone at
Haryana Tourism; Chef Sanjay Vij – Head Chef, Taj; Ms Kirti Kumawat – Head Human

Resource, Vivanta by Taj Surajkund; Ms. Sheetal Chadha – Director, Human Resources at
Radisson Faridabad; Chef Sanjeev Kumar – Corporate Chef, United Group; Ms. Arti Agnihotri

• Manager Learning and Development, South West Asia, Inter Continental Hotels Group; Mr.
  Shuvendu Banerjee – GM, The Crowne Plaza Today, New Delhi; Mr. Satbir Singh – Director of
  Studies, National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Noida; Ms
  Nishiganda Chitale – Training Head, Radisson Faridabad, Mr. Naresh Yadav – Owner, Sugar
  and Spice, Pllazio Hotel; Mr. Vikas Gupta – Associate Director Learning & Development
  Radisson, Blu Greater Noida; Chef Janeya – Co-founder, HolyBelly Food Boutique & Praaline’s
  Organic Bakeshop.
  Dr. Prashant Bhalla shared, “Manav Rachna is an education hub known for its academic
  excellence and industry exposure through a multitude of Industry Knowledge Partners that
  facilitate top-notch learning, training and research benefits. Courses in collaboration with
  International Universities offer a chance for students to explore global learning opportunities
  which prepares them to succeed in the global job market. With CCi Learning as our new
  Knowledge Partner for Culinary Arts Programme, we are assured of the benefits our students
  will be getting in terms of expert knowledge and skill-based training from the Master Chefs of
  the industry. The programme offered at Manav Rachna has been designed with the best in the
  industry along with the state-of-the-art infrastructure created especially to support the holistic
  learning of our students.”
  Applauding the top-notch facilities and infrastructure at the Centre of Excellence for Culinary Art,
  Master Chef Vicky Ratnani stated that culinary cooking is a skill based art learnt over a period
  of time through right guidance and immense perseverance. I am glad to see this state-of-the-art
  set up for learning culinary art at Manav Rachna in association with CCi Learning, that will prove
  to be a great value addition for the hospitality enthusiasts.