From icing to academia: Pune artist Prachi Dhabal Deb’s global recognition

Pune-based royal icing artist Prachi Dhabal Deb has become the first Indian cake and royal icing artist to be appointed as an Associate Artist at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Associate Artists at OCHS are selected for their creative practice and ability to contribute meaningfully to conversations around heritage, craft, and visual culture.

The award-winning, and a world-record holder transforms royal icing into a powerful medium of storytelling. Drawing inspiration from Indian temple architecture, handloom traditions, textile patterns, and spiritual iconography, Prachi uses icing as a canvas to preserve and reinterpret India’s rich cultural heritage. In her new role, she will engage with scholars, artists, and students, and offer a fresh perspective on how traditional Indian art forms can find expression through unconventional mediums.

Prachi shares, “It is an honour to represent India at such a respected academic institution. Royal icing is often seen as mere decoration, but this recognition affirms that edible art can hold cultural depth, tell meaningful stories, and belong in serious scholarly conversations. I hope this inspires creatives to explore non-traditional materials while staying rooted in heritage. Culinary art deserves recognition as a legitimate and powerful creative discipline on the global stage.”

Cultural experts see this recognition as part of a broader shift, one that acknowledges innovative interpretations of Indian heritage and celebrates new-age craftsmanship. It also proves that the most powerful stories are told not just on canvas or stone, but delicately piped in royal icing.