The Zee Zest Unlimit Awards is an annual celebration that shines a spotlight on trailblazers in food, travel, and lifestyle. This prestigious award acknowledges those who champion innovation, drive progress, and defy conventional norms. Let's come together to applaud and celebrate individuals who personify limitless potential and excellence. But first, meet the jury! In 2024, our distinguished jury panel, infused with the 'unlimit' spirit, brings their unique energies and perspectives to redefine the landscape of food, travel, and lifestyle.
Riyaaz Amlani, Founder & Managing Director of Impresario Handmade Restaurants
An entrepreneur and restaurateur, Riyaaz Amlani is the CEO and MD of Impressario Handmade Restaurants and the former president of National Restaurant Association of India (2014-2017). A quick-witted and charming personality, Amlani's maiden venture into the F&B business was in 2001 with Mocha - Coffee & Conversations, which brought quite the change in the cafe culture in India. Since then, he's been responsible for creating Social and Smoke House Delhi, two fairly prominent brands in the restaurant business. Winner of various awards that include 'Restaurateur of the Year' and '50 Most Influential Young Indians' awarded by multiple platforms and publications, Amlani is one of India's most recognised faces in the F&B sector.
Zorawar Kalra, Restaurateur
Zorawar Kalra is the managing director for Massive Restaurants, the brand that is known for restaurants such as Masala Library, Made In Punjab, Farzi Cafe, Pa Pa Ya, Masala Bar, KODE, BBQ'D, Rivers TO Oceans, BO-TAI, YOUNION, TYGR, Mithai By Jiggs Kalra, Hotel ShangHigh, BO-TAI Switch, +94 Bombay, Swan, Butter Delivery and Louis Burgers. A serial restaurateur, Zorawar ventured into the cloud kitchen segment in 2021 with what is possibly the smallest menu in the world with Louis Burgers.
Avinash Martins, Chef & Restaurateur
With an experience that spans from Michelin-starred restaurants across the globe to The Oberoi, Delhi, Avinash Martins is one of the most talented chefs in India at the moment. At present, he runs Cavatina Cuchina in Benaulim, south Goa. After being part of kitchens around the world, Martins chose a path that led him to unravel the various culinary secrets from the Saraswat and Portuguese communities in order to present his perspective on a plate. A big believer of "source locally", Martins's aspirations lie in taking Goan food to the rest of the world.
Srikant Malladi, Head Of Programming, Zee Zest
One of the founding team members of Zee Zest, Srikant has more than 20 years of diverse media experience including journalism, films, and television. At Zee Zest, he is in charge of spearheading all the linear content on food, travel, and lifestyle.
Ajay Sood, Photographer
Ajay Sood is a prominent photographer known for his exceptional work in travel photography. He is the founder of 'Travelure', a platform where he showcases his travel photography and shares his experiences from his journeys around the world. Apart from getting featured in leading lifestyle publications, he also won some of the biggest photography awards - Outlook Magazine's Photographer of the Year in 2016, Photo Blogger of the Year in 2018, to name a few.
Ranveer Brar, Celebrity Chef, MasterChef India Judge
Apart from being a celebrity chef, Ranveer is also a TV show host, author, MasterChef India judge and food film producer. Ranveer was inspired by local kebab vendors as a child in Lucknow, which led to him starting his career at five-star kitchens and later as the head of banquets at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Prime Minister’s residence.
Anurag Mallick, Travel & Food Writer
With a career spanning two decades, Anurag is one of the leading travel writers in India and the founder of Red Scarab Travel & Media. His contributions as a travel writer and co-author of reputable travel guides have undoubtedly enriched the travel community by providing valuable travel advice, recommendations, and insights for a diverse range of travellers. Some of his co-authored Outlook Traveller guides include 52 Weekend Breaks from Bangalore, Kerala Guide, 100 Holidays in the Hills & Trekking Guide to India.
Maria Goretti, TV Presenter, Chef, Author, Actor
Maria is known for her anchoring and cooking skills. With a YouTube channel, a digital food show, an award-winning cookbook author, you can tell that from all the hats she has donned, the chef’s toque is her favourite.
Rakesh Raghunathan, Chef & Food Historian
A storyteller in his own right, Rakesh is best known for taking people on a journey through his culinary and travel explorations. His interests lie in food history and practices and its interaction with socio-cultural norms. He is also a Zee Zest host for two successful shows—Highway Dreams and 100% South Indian.
Priyanka Blah, Independent Consultant/Advisor for Craft Spirits
Priyanka's dedication to the drinks industry, her involvement in prestigious organizations, and her passion for advocating craft spirits, especially rum, have solidified her reputation as a leading drinks writer and alco-bev industry commentator in the South Asian and global contexts. She is the founder of 'The Dram Attic,' a well-known platform that serves as a hub for sharing insights, reviews, and information about various beverages, particularly focusing on the world of drinks. She also holds the esteemed position of Academy Chair for both Asia’s 50 Best Bars and World’s 50 Best Bars.
Vinesh Johny, Pastry Chef & Educator
One of India’s finest pastry chefs, Vinesh pioneered pastry education in India as the co-founder of Lavonne Academy of Baking Science & Pastry Arts, and Lavonne Café. Raised in Bengaluru, he holds a degree in hotel management and has been associated with The Oberoi Group of Hotels and The Starwood Group of Hotels & Resorts.
Shipra Khanna, Celebrity Chef & TV Presenter
Shipra is a celebrity chef with TV shows across the globe. An author of eight cookbooks, she has been honoured with the Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award at the British Parliament. Shipra was also appointed as the health and wellbeing ambassador, and cultural ambassador for India by the Ministry of Culture.
Priya Ganapathy, Travel & Food Writer
Priya runs Red Scarab Travel & Media with her husband Anurag Mallick and creates content for the tourism and hospitality industry as a travel influencer and consultant. As a writer, she contributes to various leading national and international publications and has also co-authored several travel books and guides such as Michelin, Rough Guides, and for Outlook Traveller.
Aneesh Bhasin, Entrepreneur & Podcaster
Co-founder of Svami, the non-alcoholic beverage brand, Aneesh is a beverage expert, an ardent culinary explorer and can give one some serious tips on where to eat in Mumbai, to begin with. His podcast, ‘A Niche Thing’ delves into various subcultural topics, from tech to art. He’s also an award-winning professional photographer.
Nivedith Gajapathy, Blogger
Nivedith is a popular travel blogger from Bengaluru known for his extraordinary content creation. He's collaborated with multiple tourism boards and brands. Not just that, he's been awarded many accolades which include - being the only blogger to cover OSCARS 2018 officially from India, Best Lifestyle Blogger 2017 by the Food Bloggers Association of India, representing India in AirAsia Bloggers Community meet in Jakarta in 2016, amongst others.
Anish Sood, Musician
Anish Sood is a musician, producer, and electronic music artist. His contributions to the electronic music scene have helped elevate the genre's popularity in India and beyond. He continues to be an influential figure in the EDM community, captivating audiences with his music and performances in India and internationally.
Ajay Chopra, Chefpreneur, F&B Consultant, TV Presenter
Ajay is a chef and food consultant. He’s the managing director of Zion Hospitality which is involved in content, culinary training and mentoring food brands. He is also a host of Zee Zest’s shows, India’s 50 Best Dishes, Papad Pickle Aur Pyala and Pattay Ki Baat.
Ashwin Rajagopalan, Content Creator, Writer, Speaker
From travel to tech, Ashwin has over 20 years of experience as a content specialist and journalist. His expertise lies in food and travel content. He’s a specialist in communicating across cultures and boundaries, and has written for several leading publications.
Co-Presented by L'Oreal Paris Hyaluron Moisture
Co-Powered by Cadbury Dairy Milk
Jury Meet Partner: Novotel Mumbai International Airport
Technology Facilitator: Thriwe
Hospitality Partner: Taj Santacruz Mumbai
Gifting Partner: Plum, Callebaut, Tidy Up and Australian Macadamia Nuts