Celebrating Excellence: RPH Student & Staff Achievements 2025-26
The 2025-26 academic year was a year of outstanding accomplishment for the RPH family. From national competition podiums to marquee industry placements and faculty honours, our students and staff continued to raise the bar. Here is a celebration of some of their proudest moments.
Student Achievements
- Nehal Main (FY BACA) won 1st prize in the Students Category at the 7th season of Meri Poushtik Rasoi, competing against 300+ students – winning a cash prize of ₹40,000, a trophy and a certificate. Aniruddha Khembhavi also reached the Grand Finale top 5.
- Manasvi Polas (TY B.Sc HS) was honoured as “Best Female Outgoing Student of the Year 2026” by Bunts Sangha Mumbai Mahila Vibhag.
- Khushbu Jaiswal (TY BACA) secured a Silver medal at the WICA Nestlé Young Chef Culinary Challenge.
- Danielle Dsilva (SY B.Sc HS) won a Silver medal in the Entremet category at the Morde Competition 2025.
- Sharvil Ramdasi, Nishant Vaghela and Sahil Gupta completed the prestigious 6-month Bridge Program at Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality.
- Our alumni shone too – Ritesh Pujari (Top 3, India Bar Show national bartender championship), Divyam Chavan (Best Cocktail, North region, Hapusa Gin), Chef Amit Shetty (Best Young Chef – Restaurant, Better Kitchen Convention 2025), and Pratik Wadkar (Best Intern, Front Office, St. Regis Mumbai).
Staff Achievements
- Principal Chef Yogesh Utekar was awarded the Best Innovative Principal Award in the Culinary & Hospitality Sector, served as a judge for MasterChef India Jodi auditions, and was appointed President of the HFTP Student Chapter.
- Chef Zaid Shaikh and Chef Ritesh Shidgane also served as judges for the MasterChef India Jodi audition round.
- Ms. Chitralekha Sawant had her research topic approved by the University of Mumbai and was invited as a judge at Rizvi College.
- Mr. Vishal Kanojia earned the WFA Yellow Badge in Flair Tending and completed WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits.
- Prof. Shivani Arora Khanna authored the book “Mindful Miles” on conscious, sustainable travel.
Congratulations to everyone – you make the entire RPH family proud! ✨🏆
Highlights from the Magazine
