The fourth edition of the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026, which concluded recently on a high note in Mumbai bringing together some of the most influential names from India’s food and lifestyle ecosystem, will be on air on March 29 on Zee Zest and streamer ZEE5.

The evening celebrated innovation, creativity and excellence under this year’s theme, ‘Redefining Excellence’.

The awards recognised standout restaurants, cafés, bars, spirit brands and hospitality concepts that are reshaping India’s culinary landscape. Alongside industry leaders, the event also honoured content creators and experiential formats that are influencing how audiences engage with food, travel and lifestyle, a Zee press release said.

The evening saw a strong presence of celebrities including Shalini Pandey, Madhurima Tuli, Karan Tacker, Avneet Kaur, Harleen Sethi and Armaan Jain, who added glamour to the red carpet. The ceremony also honoured top culinary talents across categories, recognising consistency, creativity and innovation.

A distinguished jury panel featuring experts such as Rashmi Uday Singh, AD Singh, Rahul Akerkar, Ajay Chopra and Sadaf Hussain ensured a rigorous selection process, balancing originality with cultural relevance.

Speaking at the event, Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer at ZEEL and Zee5, said the platform aims to spotlight culinary trailblazers through its omni-channel presence. Alenkar Pathare, Business Head, Zee Zest and Youth, highlighted the industry’s transformation driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs and creators redefining consumer experiences.

A major highlight of the evening was a live performance by Agnee, which energized the audience, along with a comedy set by Prashasti Singh.

Among the winners, The Table was named Best Luxury Dining Restaurant, while Avatara won Best Vegetarian Restaurant. Dakshin at ITC Grand Central secured Best South Indian Restaurant, and Cafe Lento was awarded Best Café. In beverages, Amrut Expedition was recognised as Best Indian Whisky, while Hell Energy Drink took home Best New Age Beverage Brand.

Individual honours included Chef of the Year awards for Gresham Fernandes and Koyel Roy Nandy, while noted restaurateur Gauri Devidayal was named Restaurateur of the Year. Chef Manish Mehrotra received the prestigious Unlimit Icon award.