Naga Chef Aketoli Zhimomi featured in Food Superstars #Next30 list

DIMAPUR — Naga chef Aketoli Zhimomi has been ranked 45 in the Culinary Culture’s Food Superstars (FSS) #Next30 list, released on Tuesday. The recognition highlights her contribution to modern Naga cuisine and the growing visibility of regional culinary traditions.

Describing the accolade as a “huge morale boost,” Zhimomi said it validates the potential of Naga cuisine and motivates her to continue innovating. “It shows that our cuisine has much more to offer than commonly perceived and it is finally gaining wider visibility,” she added.

The #Next30 list, an extension of the Food Superstars initiative, celebrates 30 additional outstanding chefs shaping India’s culinary culture beyond the top 30. The 4th edition of Food Superstars, considered one of the largest celebrations of the Indian chef community, will be held on September 26 and 27 in Kolkata, where India’s top 30 chefs will be revealed.

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Zhimomi, who won the inaugural Naga Chef competition in 2013, runs The Ethnic Table restaurant in Dimapur, focusing on modern Naga cuisine and indigenous ingredients. Earlier this year, she was also recognised by Culinary Culture as one of India’s Top 30 chefs, ranking 26.

Culinary Culture, an independent rating system, honours chefs across India, including restaurant heads, gourmet delivery kitchens, street food vendors, and home chefs, while organising global culinary exchanges and maintaining an active online community.