Find out who secured a spot at the Global Chefs Challenge Finals in May 2026.
- The Global Chefs Challenge Pacific Rim Regional Semi-Finals took place in Nikao, Cook Islands from 4-5 October, 2025.
- Qualifying teams will advance to compete in the Global Chefs Finals during the 2026 Worldchefs Congress & Expo in Wales.
- To learn more about the Global Chef Challenge and the Road to Wales, visit https://worldchefs.org/globalchefschallenge.
Nikao, Cook Islands, 10th October 2025 – The results are in from the Global Chefs Challenge Pacific Rim Regional Semi-Finals! From October 4th to 5th, teams from the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia gathered in Nikao for the final Global Chefs Challenge Regional Semi-Finals of 2025.
Thank you to our judges:
- International: Matt McBain
- Rookie: Danny Ward, Karlene Taokia, Sam Timoko, Rakesh Kumar, Pranesh Gounder
- Observer: Vou Williams
During the two-day competition, talented chefs showcased their skills across four categories: Global Chefs Challenge, Global Young Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, and Global Vegan Chefs Challenge. The winners have secured a spot at the Global Chefs Challenge Finals, taking place at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 in Wales.
Results are listed below by category.
Global Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Teams
- 1st Place: Leslie Chan, Australia
- 1st Place: Navneet Reddy, Fiji
See the Global Chefs Challenge official results below:
| Country | Participant Name | Medal | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Leslie Chan | Gold | 1st Place |
| Fiji | Navneet Reddy | Gold | 1st Place |
| Cook Islands | Arana Edwards | Silver | 3rd Place |
Global Young Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Team
- 1st Place: Liam Brnic, Australia
See the Global Young Chefs Challenge official results below:
| Country | Participant Name | Medal | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Liam Brnic | Gold | 1st Place |
| Cook Islands | Rocklyn Taokia | Silver | 2nd Place |
| Fiji | Francis Wakeham | Silver | 3rd Place |
| New Zealand | Sam Linstrom | Bronze |
Global Pastry Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Team
- 1st Place: Vikash Chetty, Fiji
See the Global Pastry Chefs Challenge official results below:
| Country | Participant Name | Medal | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiji | Vikash Chetty | Gold | 1st Place |
| Cook Islands | Kemen Reddy | Bronze | 2nd Place |
Global Vegan Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Team
- 1st Place: Abhinesh Sharma, Fiji
See the Global Vegan Chefs Challenge official results below:
| Country | Participant Name | Medal | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiji | Abhinesh Sharma | Gold | 1st Place |
| Cook Islands | Tylani Ataera | Silver | 2nd Place |
Look Back on the Action
Relive the experience as if you were there! Click here or on the image below to view the photos.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We’d like to extend a thank you to our sponsors for helping bring this competition to life. Your support helps us empower chefs around the globe and fuels the future of global culinary innovation. We’re grateful and excited for our continued collaboration.
Thank you Dilmah Tea and Valrhona.
Global Chefs Challenge Finals at Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026
Worldchefs Congress & Expo is a hallmark tradition of Worldchefs, and has been organized in cities around the world throughout its illustrious 98-year history. The forum brings together delegates from across the five continents to network and expand their professional bonds. The unique program delivers presentations and workshops from leading experts in the hospitality industry, impactful educational programs including the Worldchefs Educators’ Forum, specialized events designed to uplift the next generation of chefs such as the Bill Gallagher Young Chefs Forum, an international trade exhibition, the Global Chefs Challenge competition, and diverse activities to enhance both personal and professional networks.
The 2026 Worldchefs Congress & Expo and Global Chefs Challenge Finals will be held in Wales, hosted by the Culinary Association of Wales.
Visit www.worldchefscongress.org for more information.
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About Worldchefs
The World Association of Chefs’ Societies, known as Worldchefs, is a federation made up of 110 national chef associations. A leading voice in the hospitality industry, Worldchefs carries years of history since its founding in 1928 at the Sorbonne by the venerable Auguste Escoffier.
Representing a mobilized international membership of culinary professionals, Worldchefs is committed to advancing the profession and leveraging the influence of the chef jacket for the betterment of the industry and humanity at large.
Worldchefs is dedicated to raising culinary standards and social awareness through these core focus areas:
Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.
Education – Worldchefs offers support for education and professional development through the Worldchefs Academy online training program, a diverse network of Worldchefs Education Partners and curriculum, and the world’s first Global Culinary Certification recognizing on-the-job skills in hospitality;
Networking – Worldchefs connects culinary professionals around the world and provides a gateway for industry networking opportunities through endorsed events and the biennial Worldchefs Congress & Expo;
Competition – Worldchefs sets global standards for competition rules, provides Competition Seminars and assurance of Worldchefs Certified Judges, and operates the prestigious Global Chefs Challenge.
