The Embassy of Mexico in India hosted an award presentation ceremony at its premises in New Delhi to confer the Sello M: Distinctivo Sello de Calidad de la Cocina Mexicana (M Seal: Distinction for Mexican Gastronomy) on two Indian culinary establishments serving Mexican cuisine—Sanchez in Bengaluru and Nomad’s Taco in Hyderabad.
The ceremony was held as part of the official celebrations marking the 216th Anniversary of the Dawn of the Independence of Mexico, highlighting the role of gastronomy in strengthening cultural connections between Mexico and India.
The distinction has been awarded to Sanchez for 2025 and Nomad’s Taco for 2026.
The Sello M is a selective international distinction jointly granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Mexico (SRE) and the Academia Mexicana de Gastronomía (Mexican Academy of Gastronomy). It recognises international establishments that uphold the authenticity, heritage and standards of traditional Mexican cuisine.
The recognitions were formally presented by Ambassador-designate Pedro Blanco Pérez and Deputy Head of Mission Claudia Keller. Celebrity Chef and Culinary Director Vikas Seth accepted the distinction on behalf of Sanchez, while Nidhi Varma, Owner and Founder of Nomad’s Taco, received the recognition for the Hyderabad-based gourmet Mexican cloud kitchen.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Pedro Blanco said Mexican gastronomy is “much more than food” and represents an expression of the country’s history and identity. He congratulated both establishments for their commitment to culinary authenticity and expressed hope that more Indian restaurants would serve authentic Mexican cuisine, further expanding the culinary connection between the two countries.
Claudia Keller said the establishments had demonstrated high standards through their sourcing of traditional ingredients and use of time-honoured preparation techniques. She described the recipients as cultural ambassadors safeguarding Mexican culinary heritage in India and expressed hope that the recognition would encourage more restaurants and hospitality professionals to embrace authentic Mexican cuisine.
To qualify for the Sello M distinction, both establishments met international criteria that included maintaining a dedicated menu based on authentic Mexican recipes, using characteristic Mexican ingredients, and employing culinary professionals with verified training and experience in traditional Mexican cuisine.
The Sello M distinction remains valid for two years from the date of issuance, supporting continued adherence to authentic culinary practices.
The recognition of Sanchez and Nomad’s Taco highlights the growing presence of Mexican gastronomy in India while reinforcing the role of cuisine as a means of cultural exchange between the two countries.
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