Mohammad Sameer / Hanout
Pastry expert Mohammad Sameer received the “Pastry Chef of the Year” award at the India Leadership Excellence Awards 2026, recognizing his contribution to the culinary and hospitality industry.
Sameer, who was previously associated with ANDAAZ Restaurant in New Jersey, was recognized for his work in pastry and bakery arts, including dessert innovation and modern pastry presentation.
He began his culinary career at the Taj Mahal Hotel in India, where he received the Best Star Employee in Food Production award in 2014 and the Employee of the Year award in 2015. During his tenure, he specialized in bread-making, viennoiseries, artisanal pastries, and premium desserts.
Sameer later joined Andaz Delhi, where he rose to the position of sous chef. In the role, he contributed to menu development, team mentorship, and kitchen operations.
He subsequently moved to Saudi Arabia and led several pre-opening restaurant projects, including Naya Daur, Vanguard, and Umbrella. As pre-opening head chef, he worked on kitchen planning, operational systems, menu engineering, and culinary team development for the projects.
The award also recognized Sameer’s approach to combining classical pastry techniques with contemporary international flavors.
Reacting to the recognition, Chef Sameer said, “This recognition is truly special for me and motivates me to continue creating memorable culinary experiences through pastry and desserts. I am grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey.”
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