Share
While traveling abroad, have you ever had the feeling that despite having loved the local cuisine and experimenting with it, you crave home-style desi food? Just comforting, familiar flavours that remind you of home? Apart from those traveling for work or on a holiday for Indians who live abroad too, food is one of the most important connections that they have to their roots.
However in the case of Indian cuisine, especially since it’s so diverse, it must be represented accurately and adequately. Each region in India offers unique flavours, ingredients, and cooking techniques. From the rich curries of the North to the light, tangy dishes of the South, and the vibrant street food culture, Indian food is a reflection of its vast cultural heritage.
However, in the West, it is often reduced to stereotypes like curry, naan, and tikka masala. It's essential to break free from these limitations and explore the depth of Indian cuisine, which includes a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, and regional specialties that reflect the country’s rich culinary traditions.
The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) the "Annapurna Certificate" to reward restaurants running overseas that have made exceptional contributions to the spread of authentic Indian food and culinary customs. This Certificate is a token of gratitude for the major part these eateries help to bring Indian cuisine to overseas local populations and also to the local community of the place where it has been opened.
Photo Credit: Namaste/ Instagram
How Does A Restaurant Become Eligible For An Annapurna Certificate?
As per the ICCR website, Restaurants operating abroad are eligible for the certificate. The restaurants should have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of authentic Indian Cuisine, among local community members. The restaurant should have been in operation for at least five years and serve at least 5,000 customers per month.
Photo Credit: Mumtaz Mahal/ Instagram
All kinds of Indian restaurants abroad, whether they are fine dining or all-day dining, are allowed to compete for the certificate. Interestingly, the nationality of the owner doesn’t matter. The owner doesn’t necessarily have to be Indian as long as the restaurant correctly showcases India’s culinary traditions. The restaurants have to comply with the food hygiene and safety norms as per local rules and regulations.
Photo Credit: Namaste/ Instagram
How Are The Winners Chosen?
Indian embassies and high commissions around the world receive restaurant nominations, which are then reviewed by an ICCR-appointed jury team. Eligible restaurants submit their application to the Indian Mission/Post within the time frame specified for the purpose. After thoroughly reviewing and evaluating the information supplied by the applicant restaurants, Indian Missions Abroad will submit the best applications to ICCR by the deadline. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations then designates a jury to make the final selection for the Certificate.
Photo Credit: Indian Street Food & Co./ Instagram
At an award ceremony held in December 2023, 120 restaurants competed for the honour, and six were named winners. The initial batch of winners includes Amber India Restaurant from USA, Balaji Dosai from Sri Lanka, Indian Street Food & Co. from Sweden, Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant from Oman, Namaste, Indian Restaurant from Mongolia and Naans and Curries from Costa Rica. In 2024, the ICCR received 16 nominations, but the winners are yet to be revealed.
