Paragon wins big at Golden Clove Awards 2025

From a humble bakery in Kozhikode to one of the most celebrated restaurant brands in India and the Middle East, Paragon's culinary journey is nothing short of legendary. At the Manorama Online Golden Clove Awards 2025, Paragon secured the top honour, a testament to its legacy, consistency, and unmatched Malabar flavours.

Founded in 1939 by P Govindan and P M Valsan, Paragon started as a small baking company. After Valsan’s passing, his wife, Saraswathi, carried the torch, later joined by their son, Sumesh Govind, in 1985, who transformed the brand into a culinary empire. Today, under his leadership, Paragon Group operates 25 restaurants under names like Paragon, Salkara, M Grill, and Browntown Café across Kerala, Bengaluru, and the Gulf region.

Known especially for its biryani—a dish that draws loyalists from across the world—Paragon has earned accolades including a spot on Taste Atlas’ global list of top restaurants. Its reputation extends beyond awards: the restaurant is a favourite among international authors, film stars, cricketers, and political leaders alike.

At the Golden Clove 2025, Sumesh Govind accepted the top award on behalf of the Paragon team. It was more than a win; it was recognition of a legacy built on tradition, innovation, and an uncompromising love for food.

In addition to Paragon, other restaurants awarded the Golden Clove Five-Star Rating include Meen by Chef Pillai (Kollam), Malabar Village (Kottayam), Kaarthyayani (Kochi), and Olan Restaurant (Wayanad). Summer Town Resto Café, Kochi was named Best Café, with the award received by actor Namitha and her father, Pramod.

The awards were presented by veteran chef Reji Mathew, who brings over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. The event saw the presence of popular film personalities like Ramzan, Gowri, and Sreekanth Murali with his wife Sangeetha. Singer Shikha Prabhakaran and her troupe performed live, adding musical charm to the evening.

Organised in partnership with Medimix, the Golden Clove Awards evaluated restaurants across five regions of Kerala. Culinary experts shortlisted five restaurants from each zone with the support of Munnar Catering College, which served as the screening partner. Evaluations were based on taste, ambience, menu variety, hospitality, and service, and the winners were chosen through a mix of expert assessments and public voting.