Global Chefs Challenge 2026 Results Are In: Celebrating Top Culinary Talents from Across the Globe
Newport, Wales, 20th May 2026 – The Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 in Newport, Wales concluded with the announcement of the Global Chefs Challenge 2026 results, closing four days of top-level competition and showcasing some of the world’s most talented culinary professionals. Chefs from across the globe competed across four categories, each challenging competitors to demonstrate technical expertise, creativity, and precision.
A leading international competition, the Global Chefs Challenge has become a prestigious event for chefs to test their skills and bring their best work to the table, setting a standard for excellence within the industry.
The winners of each category are as follows:
Global Chefs Challenge
- Winner: Giuseppe De Vincenzo, Italy
- 1st Runner Up: Tommy Jespersen, Denmark
- 2nd Runner Up: Stanton Wong Hau Zhe, Singapore
- Best Fish Award by Sterling Halibut: Tommy Jespersen, Denmark
- Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award: Tommy Jespersen, Denmark
- Anchor Food Professionals Award for Best Dessert: Giuseppe De Vincenzo, Italy
- Best Use of Dilmah Tea: Ruben Van Zanten, Netherlands
See the official rankings of the Global Chefs Challenge below:
| Rank | Country | Score | Medal |
| 1 | Italy | 94.167 | 🥇 Gold |
| 2 | Denmark | 93.333 | 🥇 Gold |
| 3 | Singapore | 92.458 | 🥇 Gold |
| 4 | Finland | 90 | 🥇 Gold |
| 5 | Netherlands | 88.875 | 🥈 Silver |
| 6 | Mexico | 82.875 | 🥈 Silver |
| 7 | Wales | 82.042 | 🥈 Silver |
| 8 | Vietnam | 81.875 | 🥈 Silver |
| 9 | UAE | 78.333 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 10 | Australia | 77.792 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 11 | Portugal | 76.958 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 12 | Slovakia | 73.8 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 13 | Namibia | 70.917 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 14 | Fiji | 70.333 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 15 | USA | 70.083 | 🥉 Bronze |
Global Pastry Chefs Challenge
- Winner: Cheng Yen Ping, Singapore
- 1st Runner Up: Martine Espeland, Norway
- 2nd Runner Up: Pablo Elías Galván Vera, Mexico
- Best Use of Dilmah Tea: Karolína Hávovà, Czech Republic
- Anchor Food Professionals Award for Best Cake: Cheng Yen Ping, Singapore
See the official rankings of the Global Pastry Chefs Challenge below:
| Rank | Country | Showpiece | Cake | Plated Dessert | Average | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 96.4 | 95 | 92.6 | 94.667 | 🥇 Gold |
| 2 | Norway | 91 | 91.4 | 92.5 | 91.633 | 🥇 Gold |
| 3 | Mexico | 80.6 | 74.4 | 80 | 78.333 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 4 | Wales | 68 | 72.8 | 70.6 | 70.467 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 5 | Czech Republic | 64.2 | 71.4 | 70.2 | 68.6 | 🎖 Diploma |
| 6 | Serbia | 61.4 | 67.2 | 66.8 | 65.133 | 🎖 Diploma |
| 7 | Fiji | 62.8 | 63.6 | 66.2 | 64.2 | 🎖 Diploma |
Global Vegan Chefs Challenge
- Winner: Bjarke Jeppesen, Denmark
- 1st Runner Up: Luigi D’Antonio, Italy
- 2nd Runner Up: Ben Chan Chi Bun, Hong Kong
- Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award: Bjarke Jeppesen, Denmark
See the official rankings of the Global Vegan Chefs Challenge below:
| Rank | Country | Average | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denmark | 94.333 | 🥇 Gold |
| 2 | Italy | 91.583 | 🥇 Gold |
| 3 | Hong Kong | 87.25 | 🥈 Silver |
| 4 | Fiji | 86.667 | 🥈 Silver |
| 5 | Romania | 85.625 | 🥈 Silver |
| 6 | USA | 81.708 | 🥈 Silver |
| 7 | Wales | 81.292 | 🥈 Silver |
Global Young Chefs Challenge
- Winner: Trym Karlsen, Norway
- 1st Runner Up: Yi-Hsuan Hung, Taiwan
- 2nd Runner Up: Calum Smith, Wales
- Best Fish Award by Sterling Halibut: Trym Karlsen, Norway
- Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award: Trym Karlsen, Norway
- Anchor Food Professionals Award for Best Dessert: Yi-Hsuan Hung, Taiwan
See the official rankings of the Global Young Chefs Challenge below:
| Rank | Country / Competitor | Average | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 94.5 | 🥇 Gold |
| 2 | Taiwan | 91.167 | 🥇 Gold |
| 3 | Wales | 85.833 | 🥈 Silver |
| 4 | Cyprus | 80.722 | 🥈 Silver |
| 5 | Australia | 77.833 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 6 | USA | 75.889 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 7 | Romania | 75.056 | 🥉 Bronze |
| 8 | Qatar | 71.444 | 🥉 Bronze |
Each team displayed remarkable skill and creativity, pushing culinary boundaries to achieve their best. The energy and camaraderie within the competition hall highlighted the unity and spirit of the global culinary community.
Finally, the competition would not be what it is without our generous sponsors who support each edition. Thank you for the invaluable collaboration.
For more information about the Global Chefs Challenge, visit https://worldchefs.org/globalchefschallenge/.
To view your photos from the event, visit https://memento.photo/j/rQvnZrQK.
About Worldchefs Congress & Expo
The global leading platform that brings together chef delegates and professionals from across the five continents, Worldchefs Congress & Expo delivers a unique program to help industry players network and expand their professional bonds.
This includes presentations and workshops from leading experts in the 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, the Global Chefs Challenge Finals culinary competition, an international trade exhibition, and diverse activities to enhance both your personal and professional network.
For more information on Worldchefs Congress, kindly refer here: www.worldchefscongress.org
Thank you to Nestlé Professional, Azerbaijan Tourism Board, and Electrolux Food Foundation, along with all of our sponsors, for making the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 possible.
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