Hyderabad’s Nomad’s Taco earns Mexico’s Sello M distinction for authentic cuisine

Hyderabad’s Nomad’s Taco, a gourmet Mexican cloud kitchen founded by Nidhi Varma, has received the Sello M, a distinction awarded by the Mexican government and the Academia Mexicana de Gastronomía to establishments outside Mexico that demonstrate a commitment to the country’s culinary traditions.

The recognition was presented at the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi on September 18 as part of celebrations marking the 216th anniversary of the beginning of Mexico’s War of Independence. Bengaluru-based Mexican restaurant Sanchez was the other Indian establishment recognised at the ceremony, receiving the distinction for 2025, while Nomad’s Taco was recognised for 2026. Nidhi accepted the award on behalf of Nomad’s Taco, while chef and culinary director Vikas Seth represented Sanchez.

Tacos by Nomad Tacos

Known as Sello M: Distintivo Sello de Calidad de la Cocina Mexicana, or the M Seal of Distinction for Mexican Gastronomy, the certification is jointly administered by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mexican Academy of Gastronomy.

The distinction involves more than serving dishes associated with Mexico. According to the programme’s published guidelines, applicants must have operated for at least two years and offer a menu rooted in Mexican recipes, using characteristic ingredients and traditional techniques. They must also have at least one chef or cook with training or experience in authentic Mexican cuisine. Applications are evaluated by the Mexican Academy of Gastronomy, with Mexican embassies and consulates conducting verification visits to establishments. The certification is valid for two years, after which renewal requires another evaluation.

Nidhi Varma founder of Nomad Tacos

For Nomad’s Taco, the recognition places its culinary approach within a broader effort to safeguard Mexico’s food heritage. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed traditional Mexican cuisine on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition acknowledges not merely a collection of recipes, but a living cultural system encompassing agricultural practices, ancestral knowledge, cooking techniques and community traditions.

The Sello M distinction is therefore intended to recognise establishments that demonstrate a sustained commitment to these culinary traditions, even when operating thousands of kilometres from Mexico. For Hyderabad’s Nomad’s Taco, the award offers international recognition for its work in bringing Mexican cuisine to Indian diners.