Pune’s Prachi Dhabal Deb Wins Global Royal Icing Artist of the Year 2026 in Australia

Pune, 9th August 2026: Pune-based artist Prachi Dhabal Deb has been named Global Royal Icing Cake Artist of the Year 2026 at the ACADA Australasian Cake Oscar Awards, recognising her body of work and contribution to the highly specialised art of Royal Icing.

The international award was presented during the ACADA Australasian Cake Oscar Awards 2026 Gala Black-Tie Dinner held on Saturday, August 1, at Rydges Hotel South Bank in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

The award recognises a Royal Icing artist whose work consistently demonstrates an exceptional standard, stands out internationally and showcases world-class piping skills.

Deb emerged as the winner after a selection process that combined public and industry voting with assessment by ACADA’s panel of highly acclaimed, multi-award-winning international judges.

Prachi selected from four global finalists

The award was not given for a single cake or competition entry. Instead, it recognised the artist’s overall body of Royal Icing work.

Nominations were received from Royal Icing artists from across the world. Four artists were eventually shortlisted for the final stage, representing India, Malaysia and Taiwan, with Deb representing India.

As part of the shortlisting process, the finalists were asked to submit six photographs of their best Royal Icing works created during the preceding 12 months. The final selection involved a combination of public voting and evaluation by ACADA’s international judging panel.

The final winner was also determined through a combination of public voting and the assessment of the international industry judges. ACADA said the judging process was designed to maintain the integrity of the awards.

The final judging question was not disclosed to the finalists and winners.

Why Prachi’s work stood out

Deb’s work has developed a distinctive identity by taking traditional Royal Icing techniques into architectural, sculptural and heritage-inspired forms.

Her creations incorporate intricate piping and detailed structures influenced by Indian textiles, architecture, jewellery, craftsmanship and traditional cultural motifs.

Rather than limiting Royal Icing to conventional cake decoration, Deb has used the medium to recreate architectural forms and translate elements of India’s cultural heritage into edible art.

Her work has also included large-scale structures and elaborate heritage-inspired creations, helping establish her as an internationally recognised specialist in Royal Icing.

Prachi has collaborated with the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Textiles, Government of India for culture and heritage based work.

She has also conducted session regarding Indian Handloom and Textiles with Edible Artistry at the Nehru Centre, High Commission of India in London.

Could not travel to Australia due to health issues

Deb was unable to attend the awards ceremony in South Brisbane because of health issues.

She had asked the organisers to send the award through a friend who is travelling to Pune and is expected to arrive by the middle of August.

“Receiving the Global Royal Icing Cake Artist of the Year award is deeply special to me. Royal icing has been at the heart of my artistic journey for many years, and to see my work from India recognised on an international platform is both humbling and encouraging,” Deb said.

She said she hoped to continue using her art to celebrate India’s craft and cultural heritage on the global stage.

From financial analyst to international cake artist

Deb’s professional journey began away from the world of cake artistry. Born in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, she completed her schooling in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, before pursuing her college education in Kolkata.

She later worked as a financial analyst before moving into baking and cake decoration. Her professional baking journey began around 2012, eventually leading her towards Royal Icing and specialised sugarcraft.

She subsequently trained under renowned British Royal Icing artist Sir Eddie Spence MBE, whose work has been associated with cake decoration for the British Royal Family.

Deb is married to an IT professional from West Bengal and currently resides in Rahatani, Pimpri-Chinchwad. Pune has been the base from which she developed her career and established her distinctive approach to Royal Icing.

International recognition over the years

The 2026 Australian award adds to a series of international recognitions for Deb.

She won the Royal Icing Award at the Cake Masters Awards in Birmingham in 2019, further establishing her presence in the international cake-art community.

Her large-scale Royal Icing creations have also earned her three World Book of Records recognitions. Among her notable works are a 100-kg edible replica of Milan Cathedral and large architectural structures inspired by Indian heritage.

Deb has also developed a vegan Royal Icing formulation, adapting the traditionally egg-based medium for vegan and egg-free applications.

Her work has increasingly moved beyond cake decoration, combining detailed piping with architecture, sculpture and cultural storytelling.

Oxford recognition and industry roles

Her work has also received recognition outside the conventional cake and confectionery industry.

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies has recognised Deb as an Associate Artist, reflecting the cultural dimension of her work and her efforts to connect traditional Indian heritage with contemporary artistic practice.

She has also served as a judge and mentor in the cake-art industry, including as Head Judge and Advisory Board member of the Indian Cake Awards.

For the 2026 International Cake Show Australia, Deb was associated with the event as an Indian Ambassador and Senior Judge, adding an industry leadership role to her growing international profile.

Her involvement with the Australian event included judging responsibilities as well as sharing her expertise in traditional English Royal Icing techniques.

A Pune artist on the global cake-art stage

The Global Royal Icing Cake Artist of the Year award marks another international milestone for Deb, but its significance extends beyond a single competition.

The award recognises her broader body of work, which combines technically demanding Royal Icing piping with architectural forms and Indian cultural references.

For Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the recognition highlights the international reach of an artist who has developed her specialised craft from the city and transformed Royal Icing into a medium for showcasing India’s artistic and cultural heritage.