In October 2025, celebrated chef, author, and Padma Shri awardee Sanjeev Surendra Kapoor was honoured as one of the 2025 “Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP)” by the World Food Prize Foundation (WFPF) during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, held from October 21–23, 2025, at Des Moines in Lowa, the United States of America (USA).
- The honour recognises Sanjeev Kapoor’s impact in promoting healthy, sustainable eating and local, nutrient-rich foods while supporting Indian agriculture globally.
Exam Hints:
- What? Honoured as ‘Top Agri-Food Pioneer’ (TAP) 2025
- Who? Chef Sanjeev Kapoor
- By? World Food Prize Foundation (WFPF)
- Where? Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Lowa (USA)
- 2025 Edition: Honours 39 innovators from 27 countries
- Other Indian Recipients: Avijit Ghosh, Dr.Manzoor Hussain Dar, Dr. Boddupalli Maruthi Prasanna, Aadith Moorthy
About TAP 2025 list:
Launch: It was started in 2024, with an aim to highlight people across disciplines such as research, entrepreneurship, policy, extension, making a valued contribution to food systems transformation.
2025 List: The TAP 2025 list honour 39 changemakers from 27 countries for their outstanding contributions to transforming global agri-food systems.
Focus Areas: The TAP 2025 cohort honours innovators driving progress in climate-smart farming, food security, nutrition, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and agri-tech innovation.
Indian Recipients in TAP 2025:
Sanjeev Kapoor:He is best known for hosting Khana Khazana, a Television (TV) show, which aired for over 17 years. He is the founder of Yellow Chilli, a chain of fine-dining restaurants and Wonderchef, a premium kitchenware and appliance brand.
- In 2017, he was conferred Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for his contribution to the culinary arts.
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor: He is a renowned Chef, humanitarian and entrepreneur, recognized for for advancing nutrition, sustainability, and food awareness through his ‘Nutri-Pathshala’ initiative.
Avijit Ghosh: He is a scientist at Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute(IGFRI), Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh, UP), recognized for restoring degraded lands and improving forage, grassland, and soil resources.
Dr. Manzoor Hussain Dar: He is a Principal Scientist at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), recognized for improving farmer access to resilient seeds and last-mile seed delivery.
Dr. Boddupalli Maruthi Prasanna: He is a Regional Director for Asia at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), recognized for for developing climate-resilient maize varieties.
Aadith Moorthy: He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boomitra, recognised for driving entrepreneurship and digital innovation in the agri-food sector.
About World Food Prize Foundation (WFPF):
President – Mashal Hussain
Headquarters – Lowa, the United States of America(USA)
Established – 1986
