The India National Winner will compete against top chefs across the region to celebrate Italian Gastronomy while fostering innovation and culinary excellence
The India National Finals of the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia has crowned Chef Gargi Adhikary, Commis & Taj Fort Aguada Resorts and Spa as the National Winner of this year’s competition. Chef Gargi Adhikary, the first female National Winner for the 2025 edition, will represent India alongside seven other top chefs in the prestigious Barilla Pasta Championship Asia Finals. The Finals will be held in November 2025, where they will compete for the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia Final Champion title, as well as embark on an exclusive culinary journey to Parma, Italy, immersing themselves in the rich traditions of Italian gastronomy.
This is the second year of the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia where Barilla brings together talented chefs from across Asia to hone their skills, elevate their craft and celebrate the essence of Italian cuisine. This year’s competition, held at the Taj Holiday Village Resort and Spa, Goa, saw over 130 entries, with 6 shortlisted chefs participating in the exhilarating National Finals to showcase their culinary skills and interpretation of classic Italian cuisine.
Chef Gargi Adhikary’s winning dish – Barilla Spaghetti – Serradura Cannoli – Chef Gargi’s dish is a creative fusion of global flavours and techniques, showcasing innovative pasta preparation with cultural depth and personal passion. Her approach showcases not only a flair for imaginative cooking but also a commitment to meticulous preparation, as she navigated and overcame practical challenges with precision and determination. Despite the challenge of setting a cheesecake within strict time limits, her meticulous planning and composure saw her through. Rooted in Goan tradition and enriched by European influences, her ingredients tell a story of cultural fusion.
The dish impressed a prestigious jury composed of award-winning chefs from across Asia, including Andrea Tranchero, Executive Chef of Barilla Asia Pacific, Chef Ranjeet Pandey, President of Culinary Forum of Goa, and Ms. Odette Mascarenhas, Food Critic and President of Goa Culinary Club. Each dish was evaluated on its aesthetic presentation, harmony of flavours, and technical execution.
The judges were impressed by Chef Gargi Adhikary’s ability to present a dish is a testament to fusion and innovation, skillfully blending diverse culinary traditions into a distinctive creation that reflects both creativity and cultural harmony. Chef Gargi began her culinary journey four years ago with the Indian hotel industry, driven by a deep-rooted passion that began in childhood. Her creativity shines through in her innovative approach to desserts—most notably in her competition-winning dish, a pasta-based creation that reimagined Serradura and spaghetti cannoli through the cultural lens of Goa, Italy, and Portugal. Chef Gargi champions the use of pasta in desserts, challenging conventional savoury applications with fresh imagination. Her unexpected win in her very first competition was an emotional milestone, marking the beginning of what promises to be an inspiring culinary journey.
At the heart of every dish was Barilla’s signature pasta—crafted from a high quality semolina blend, backed by over 145 years of pasta-making expertise and longstanding knowledge rooted in Italian traditions. Well-known for its consistency, texture, and excellent cooking performance, Barilla pasta empowers chefs to bring their boldest ideas to life.
“At Barilla, we are proud to have inspired and supported food professionals in India in showcasing and elevating their Italian gastronomy craft. Italian cuisine continues to thrive in India, and we remain committed to collaborating with chefs to create recipes that truly resonate. We look forward to supporting their journey as they bring their masterpieces to the Grand Finals,” said Chef Andrea Tranchero, Executive Chef at Barilla Group.