Category: Competition

Marking a Historic Milestone with China’s Second Asian Pastry Young Chefs Challenge

Post author By Julia
Post date November 21, 2024

History in the Making

The second Asian Pastry Young Chefs Challenge (APYC) 2024, held on September 25-26 at the Guangzhou Import and Export Commodity Fair, marked a historic milestone in China’s culinary scene as the country’s first national young pastry competition to receive endorsement from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs). Organized in collaboration with the China Cuisine Association, Guangdong Imported Food Association, Constellar Worldex, the Association of Staff and Workers Education and Vocational Training in Shenzhen, and the JIYI Cultural Planning Committee, the event brought together talented young pastry chefs from across Asia.

Endorsed by Worldchefs, APYC 2024 attracted competitors from eight Asian countries and regions, including China, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Macau China, and Vietnam. The theme of this year’s competition, ‘Heritage and Innovation’, invited teams to fuse traditional pastry skills with modern techniques, displaying exceptional creativity. The challenge fostered cultural exchange and culinary collaboration, showcasing the diversity of Asian food cultures and contributing to the advancement of global pastry arts.

This year’s event was supported by Chef Willment Leong, Worldchefs Continental Director for Asia, and Chef KK Yau, Worldchefs Vice Continental Director for Asia. The competition upheld the highest standards of excellence, with four Worldchefs-certified Continental Pastry judges, led by International Pastry Judge Kenny Kong serving as Chairman of the Jury.

A showcase of excellent culinary skills

During the seven-hour challenge, the young chefs skills were tested. Singapore emerged as the champion team, earning the “Best Chocolate Praline,” “Best Chocolate Cake,” and “Best Plated Dessert” awards. Malaysia was named first runner-up for creativity, while South Korea placed third and was awarded “Best Artistic Showpiece.”

China’s team demonstrated exceptional teamwork, earning the Gold Medal along with awards for “Best Team Spirit” and “Best Chocolate Degustation.” Vietnam earned a Silver Medal, while Indonesia, Macau China, and India each received Bronze Medals. The overall level of skill, creativity, and dedication from all teams was truly remarkable.

Many devoted hotel management and pastry chefs generously supported the event, including Executive Pastry Chefs from Guangzhou, Chef Kenny Chen, Chef Owen Xiao, Chef Mak Keng Seng, Chef Andy Chen, Chef Eric Lai, Chef Jay Pan, Chef Sam Dong from Macau, Chef Gary Lim and Chef Desmond Lee from Singapore, Chef Eric Kim from South Korea, and Chef Cherry Le and David from Vietnam. Special thanks to Chef Jessie Pan from Macau and Kyna Tan from Malaysia, who volunteered as MCs and did a fantastic job.

Recognition of commendable results

This year’s APYC 2024 also received approval from China Post, commemorating this historic milestone with a First Day Cover stamp release on September 25-26, 2024. This gesture signifies the importance of the event for the pastry arts scene in China and more globally, across Asia. The success of APYC 2024 would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:

JJ Global Fine Foods, China
Carpigiani China
SANNENG Group Holdings Inc.
Welbilt China
Opera Chocolate
Panoni, Italy
Luzerne Singapore

Their invaluable support was essential to the success of the event and allowed for a significant achievement and advancement for pastry arts in Asia.

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

Take your competition to the next level with Worldchefs competition endorsement, a prestigious recognition, achieved by competitions that meet the highest standards of quality. This endorsement provides exceptional opportunities for visibility to an audience of culinary professionals.

Benefits include:

Tap into a global community of chefs for greater networking and business opportunities.
Unlock new possibilities with optional digital badging and event competition software.
Gain free of charge digital badges for competitors and winners with co-branding opportunities.
Gain access to downloadable evaluation and scoring sheets on Worldchefs website.

Learn more and apply to endorse your competition: https://worldchefs.org/Endorsement/

Tags #ThisIsWorldchefs

Competition Seminar

Worldchefs announces three upcoming Competition Seminars at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024!

Post author By Paige
Post date July 11, 2024

Worldchefs has announced THREE Competition Seminars!

Worldchefs Competition Seminars are designed for ambitious culinarians looking to gain insight into the height of international culinary competition standards. Whether a competitor, trainer, or aspiring judge, these intensive seminars provide key information about current trends, competition rules, and judging criteria, to help chefs keep up to date and at their best.

Three competition seminars will be hosted in-person at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024 in Singapore for aspiring judges and driven competitors: Pastry Arts on October 23rd, Culinary Arts & Hot Kitchen on October 24th, and Vegan/Plant-Based on October 25th.

Special Deal: When you register for the Worldchefs Congress & Expo for the full price you have the opportunity to attend a competition seminar at no additional charge! Please see the conditions below:

Starting from July 22, 2024, each purchaser of a Congress Delegate Ticket (Full Delegate (950 euros), Young Chef (650 euros), Retired Chef (800euros)) will have the opportunity to attend ONE competition seminar at no additional cost. Only registrations made after July 22 are eligible. Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Secure your spot – Register today!

Click below to learn more details about each competition seminar event:

Competitors: Why attend?

Learn indispensable tips to excel in culinary competitions, and understand the service process and presentation details to make sure you know everything from the very beginning to the end.
Be the first to discover current culinary trends, innovations in modern kitchen equipment, and the latest technologies used in competition.
Engage with renowned chef instructors and get inspired alongside a diverse and driven class of competition chefs, aspiring judges, and influencers in the culinary space.

Judges: Why attend?

Keep up to date with culinary trends, and discover all the latest rules necessary to provide fair judgment during competition events.
Engage with renowned chef instructors and network with a diverse and driven class of competition chefs, aspiring judges, and influencers in the culinary space.
Current judges: All Worldchefs Certified Judges are required to attend a Competition Seminar every five years.
Future judges: Take the first step towards becoming a Worldchefs Certified Judge. Participants receive a certificate of participation after attending a Competition Seminar. This certificate of completion is one of the mandatory requirements when submitting a Worldchefs Certified Judge application.
Please note: the Introduction to Competition Standards seminar is not eligible for Worldchefs Certified Judge applications.

Pre-register and gain more information by contacting: For more information, contact Ajla Dunga, [email protected]

Competition Seminar

Worldchefs announces two upcoming Competition Seminars!

Post author By Olivia
Post date April 5, 2024

Worldchefs has announced TWO Competition Seminars!

Two competition seminars will be hosted in-person at our Paris office for aspiring judges and driven competitors: Culinary Arts & Hot Kitchen on June 17th and Pastry Arts on June 18th.

Click below to learn more details about each competition seminar event:

Competitors: Why attend?

Learn indispensable tips to excel in culinary competitions, and understand the service process and presentation details to make sure you know everything from the very beginning to the end.
Be the first to discover current culinary trends, innovations in modern kitchen equipment, and the latest technologies used in competition.
Engage with renowned chef instructors and get inspired alongside a diverse and driven class of competition chefs, aspiring judges, and influencers in the culinary space.

Judges: Why attend?

Keep up to date with culinary trends, and discover all the latest rules necessary to provide fair judgment during competition events.
Engage with renowned chef instructors and network with a diverse and driven class of competition chefs, aspiring judges, and influencers in the culinary space.
Current judges: All Worldchefs Certified Judges are required to attend a Competition Seminar every five years.
Future judges: Take the first step towards becoming a Worldchefs Certified Judge. Participants receive a certificate of participation after attending a Competition Seminar. This certificate of completion is one of the mandatory requirements when submitting a Worldchefs Certified Judge application.
Please note: the Introduction to Competition Standards seminar is not eligible for Worldchefs Certified Judge applications.

Pre-register and gain more information by contacting: For more information, contact Linh To at [email protected].

Competition

Chef Daniel Calabrese Triumphs in Worldchefs-Endorsed Regional Competition

Post author By Editor
Post date March 21, 2024

Chef Daniel Calabrese Triumphs in Worldchefs-Endorsed Regional Competition

Chef Daniel Calabrese clinches top honors in the Worldchefs-Endorsed Vegan Main Course Competition, a landmark event hosted by the Canadian Culinary Federation.

1st place winner Chef Daniel Calabrese with his kitchen assistant, Young Chef Samantha Heino at the 2024 Worldchefs Endorsed Vegan Main Course Competition in Toronto, Canada. — 1st place winner Chef Daniel Calabrese with his kitchen assistant, Young Chef Samantha Heino, at the 2024 Worldchefs Endorsed Vegan Main Course Competition in Toronto, Canada.

Paris, France | March 21, 2024 — Celebrating culinary excellence and innovation, Chef Daniel Calabrese took the top spot at the 1st Annual Individual Vegan Main Course Culinary Competition for Canadian Culinary Federation Chef Members. Held on February 27th, 2024, at Centennial College’s culinary labs in Toronto, the competition showcased the artistry and skill of chefs dedicated to the craft of plant-based cuisine and garnered global attention with its Worldchefs regional endorsement.

Excellence in Vegan Culinary Arts

The 1st Annual Individual Vegan Main Course Culinary Competition, hosted by the Culinary Federation Toronto branch, provided a platform for chefs to explore the vast possibilities of plant-based cuisine in the competition arena. Seven participants were tasked with crafting a 100% vegan main course within a strict 60-minute timeframe, presenting their creations to an expert panel of Worldchefs judges.

Competitors, each with the help of a Young Chef assistant, got to work on the preparation of two plated portions of a vegan main course. Featuring at least one accompanying sauce, the competitors had one hour to present a well-balanced mix of plant-based proteins, fruits, vegetables, starches, and healthy fats. Notably, processed or pre-formed items were strictly prohibited, emphasizing the use of whole plant-based ingredients.

With top awards granted for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, the competition brought together chefs committed to excellence in plant-based culinary arts.

1st place:
- Chef Daniel Calabrese
- Young Chef kitchen assistant: Samantha Heino
2nd place:
- Chef Jose Paez
- Young Chef kitchen assistant: Ramandeep Kaur
3rd place:
- Chef Muralitharan Thambapillai
- Young Chef kitchen assistant: Simarjot Kaur

Competition Rules and Judging Criteria

Judging, a critical aspect of the competition, evaluated participants based on demanding parameters for service, presentation, and taste. The competition’s judging criteria, developed by Worldchefs, encompassed several key aspects including mise en place, correct professional preparation, hygiene, food waste management, service, presentation, and taste, with a total possible score of 100 points.

The Worldchefs-Certifed judging jury at the 1st Annual Individual Vegan Main Course Culinary Competition for Canadian Culinary Federation Chef Members.

The judging jury consisted of two kitchen judges and three tasting judges, including a Certified International Worldchefs judge and Certified Continental Worldchefs judge, and several rookie judges shadowing to achieve the prestigious recognition as a Worldchefs Certified Judge. The Worldchefs-Certified judging jury ensured a fair and competitive environment and provided individual feedback to each competitor.

“Competitors experienced unbiased and well trained judging from a panel of Worldchefs tasting panel, giving valuable feedback for future culinary competitions. Competitors from outside of our membership were interested in competing directly because of the following and visibility of Worldchefs. Our local and regional aspiring judges also had the opportunity to shadow judge our Worldchefs judging panel and gain valuable insights into the requirements and standards of a professional competition,” said Shonah Chalmers CCC, BSc, WCCE, HS, the president of the Culinary Federation Toronto Branch and Worldchefs Certified Judge. “By having the Worldchefs endorsement we were able to attract a national company to sponsor the competition, alleviating costs to the local chefs association. The company was engaged by having a global entity like the prestigious Worldchefs aligned with their brand. Social media had a higher uptake and more engagement than any local or National competition has had in the past.”

Chef Daniel Calabrese’s Winning Dish

Chef Calabrese impressed judges with an artful presentation that exemplified the competition’s rigorous standards. His winning dish, a creative fusion of plant-based ingredients, showcased diverse flavors, textures, and ingredients.

Chef Daniel Calabrese took 1st place at the 2024 Worldchefs Endorsed Vegan Main Course Competition with this dish featuring a tofu, walnut and quinoa bar, potato and celeriac roll, roasted miatake mushrooms, golden beet hive, savoy cabbage, roasted red baby beets, smoked purple carrot purée, aquafaba and coconut foam, and leek oil.

His victory at the 2024 Individual Vegan Main Course Culinary Competition positions Chef Calabrese as a trailblazer in the evolving world of vegan culinary arts. Chef Calabrese also highlighted the effort and talent of his competition assistant, Young Chef Samantha Heino. “She was an absolute rockstar in the kitchen and shows great potential as a young chef and as a competitor,” said Calabrese.

Worldchefs Endorsement and Global Recognition

All competitors received an official Worldchefs digital credential for participating in a Worldchefs-endorsed competition. The highly shareable credential, issued to each participant in the form of a digital badge, highlights the importance of participating in Worldchefs-endorsed competitions for skill advancement and international recognition.

Worldchefs Regional Level Endorsement, launched in early 2024, expands access for Worldchefs’ member associations to the global quality label for culinary competitions. With benefits for event organizers and competitors, Worldchefs Endorsement unlocks global visibility, access to Worldchefs Certified Judges, game-changing digital badges, and event marketing support.

“Worldchefs Culinary Competition Committee had just these type of events in mind when crafting the new regional endorsement level,” says Rick Stephen, Chairman of the committee. “Regional competitors deserve more attention and opportunities to advance, and Worldchefs Endorsement gives organizers that international visibility, access to our global network of Approved Judges, and a standard for excellence to set their competition above the rest. We can’t wait to see more from regional competitions all over the world, especially the younger generation of our industry talent like Chefs Daniel A. Calabrese, Jose Paez, and Muralitharan Thambapillai.”

Featured image: Competitors were all smiles at the 1st Annual Individual Vegan Main Course Culinary Competition, held on February 27th, 2024, at Centennial College’s culinary labs in Toronto.

APPLY FOR WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

Benefits include:

Tap into a global community of chefs for greater networking and business opportunities.
Unlock new possibilities with optional digital badging and event competition software.
Gain free of charge digital badges for competitors and winners with co-branding opportunities.
Gain access to downloadable evaluation and scoring sheets on Worldchefs website.

Learn more and apply to endorse your competition: https://worldchefs.org/Endorsement/

#THISISWORLDCHEFS

worldchefs

🌏 A global voice for the culinary industry
🤝Join Our Global Network: www.worldchefs.org/login
#ThisIsWorldchefs

Load More Follow on Instagram

Tags Canadian Culinary Federation, Plant-Based Cuisine, Sustainable Cuisine, Vegan, Vegan Culinary Competition, Worldchefs Certified Judge, Worldchefs Endorsed Competition

Competition

PICC 2024 Recognized on the World’s Stage

Post author By Paige
Post date March 5, 2024

PICC 2024 Recognized on the World’s Stage

The culinary world witnessed an unprecedented display of talent and expertise at the four-day Pakistan International Culinary Championship (PICC) 2024, organized by the Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP) in the strategic partnership of College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM). Held at the prestigious Royal Palm Golf & Country Club in Lahore, the event marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s culinary landscape and was endorsed by Worldchefs.

The four-day culinary championship, inaugurated on February 13, 2024, showcased the prowess of more than 50 international chefs from over 10 countries, alongside around 1,300 local culinary maestros competing across various categories. The PICC 2024 served as a platform not only for fierce competition but also for cultural exchange and culinary innovation.

_{Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including renowned motivational speaker and Qasim Ali Shah Foundation Chairperson Qasim Ali Shah, Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) Chairman Dr. Nazir Niazi, Punjab Prisons IG Mian Farooq Nazir; Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar, esteemed cartoonist Javed Iqbal, Cheezious CEO Imran Ijaz, Cheezious MD Adnan Ijaz, Punjab Tourism Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, Welfare & Bait ul Mal DG Mudassar Riaz Malik, TEVTA Chairman, Brig. Retd. Muhammad Sajid Khokhar, PIAF Chairperson Fahim ur Rehman Saigol, Higher and School Education Minister Mansoor Qadir, Royal Thai Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Kamolwan Sriposil, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Aftab ur Rehman Rana, renowned businessman Azhar Pasha, TEVTA COO Qurat ul Ain Memon, University of the Punjab Prof. Dr. Kahlid Mahmood, Unilever Food Solutions Marketing Lead Umer Waqar, UFS Marketing Manager Hafsa Asif, KnN’s Syed Mughees A. Pirzada, Shan Foods Food Services Marketing Manager Maria Qureshi, Shangrila Shahbaz Ali, Young’s Food Sales Chef Muhammad Safeer, Blue Band Professional Business Head Dawood Mustafa Ghazali, AMPCO Group Business Head Zeeshan Haider, Puratos/Belcolade Business Head Rana Musharraf, Shafaq Oil Assistant Brand Manager Shoaib Sheikh, and College of Earth & Environmental Sciences Principal Dr. Sajid Rasheed. The esteemed guests were warmly welcomed by CAP President & COTHM Founder/President & CEO Ahmad Shafiq, COTHM COO Zaheer Ahmad, COTHM Joher Town Executive Director Mian Shahid Mehmood, and Chefs Association of Pakistan Vice President (Corporate Affairs) Chef Waqar Ilyas along with other team members.}

The event commenced with a vibrant balloons releasing ceremony followed by the captivating Nations Parade, allowing guests a firsthand experience of the culinary diversity on display. Throughout the event, attendees were treated to live cooking stations, adding an interactive dimension to the festivities.

In his addresses on all the four days, COTHM CEO Ahmad Shafiq provided insights into the championship’s significance and scope, setting the stage for an exhilarating journey ahead. Worldchefs Vice President Chef Uwe Micheel, on the behalf of the Worldchefs, expressed gratitude to the PICC administration in his address, acknowledging the efforts invested in making the event a resounding success.

Notably, Qasim Ali Shah commended CAP and COTHM for orchestrating a remarkable international culinary showcase, underscoring the event’s impact on promoting culinary arts and fostering cross-cultural connections. Chef Uwe Micheel, presided over the event as the head of the jury, ensuring the highest standards of judging were maintained.

Adding to the event’s prestige, the National Culinary Team of Pakistan (NCTP) Captain Chef Muhammad Raees served as the moderator during the competitions, facilitating seamless proceedings and fair adjudication.

_{The international judges who were a part of the PICC-2024’s jury panel were Chef Uwe Michael as Head of Jury from Germany, Chef Muhamamd Raees from US, Chef Manzoor Bulgari from UAE, Sevinj Mousavi from Iran, Abdulla Mohamed from Maldives, Fathima Umar from Maldives, Akbar Umarov from Uzbekistan, and Hadi Mekdashi from UAE. Chefs from Pakistan who were in the jury panel were Chef Waqar Ilyas, Chef Tauseef Butt, Chef Muhammad Shabir, Chef Muhammad Razzaq, Chef Tipu Imran, Chef Sadaqat Sohail, Chef Irshad Ali, Chef Usama Asghar, Chef Falak Goher, Chef Hassan Arshad, Chef Faiza Iqbal, Chef Muhammad Nawaz, Chef Muhammad Hassan, Chef Jahanzaib Babar, Chef Muqarab Ali, Chef Abdul Nawaz, Chef Sumaira Sameer, Chef Nayab Tariq, and Chef Nazia Shahid.}

The PICC 2024 received immense support from its sponsors, with Unilever stepping in as the Title Sponsor, alongside Gold Partners Shan Food Specialists, K&N’s, and Cheezious. Shangrila Foods, Young’s Food, Blue Band Professional, Puratos, Shafaq Oil, and Ambassador Commercial Kitchen Equipment joined as Silver Sponsors, further bolstering the event’s success and impact.

At the closing ceremony of the event, chefs’ belts were awarded to the newly selected players of the National Culinary Team of Pakistan (NCTP). All the participants, medal holders and winners received their certificates, cash prizes and trophies at the end of the ceremony. All the esteemed sponsors also received their shields and souvenirs at the end of the event.

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

Benefits include:

Tap into a global community of chefs for greater networking and business opportunities.
Unlock new possibilities with optional digital badging and event competition software.
Gain free of charge digital badges for competitors and winners with co-branding opportunities.
Gain access to downloadable evaluation and scoring sheets on Worldchefs website.

Learn more and apply to endorse your competition: https://worldchefs.org/Endorsement/

Tags FHC, FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition

Competition World News

Finland wins the 26th IKA/Culinary Olympics

Post author By Editor
Post date February 25, 2024

Finland wins the 26th IKA/Culinary Olympics

Four days of culinary spectacle in Stuttgart: Since the opening of the IKA/Culinary Olympics last Friday, more than 1,200 international chefs have provided moments of pleasure at the Stuttgart trade fair grounds. The Olympic champions have now been crowned: finally, it was Finland that came out on top of the superlative culinary competition.

The link to the original article can be found below.

“Four days, more than 1,200 participants from 55 nations and over 7,000 menus: The IKA/Culinary Olympics is a culinary competition of superlatives and the 26th edition of this event with a long tradition was a great success,” says VKD President Daniel Schade. “The atmosphere was captivating and special from start to finish. We received great feedback from the chefs, fans and guests – we are proud of that.” As the organizer of the IKA, the German Chefs’ Association (VKD) congratulates the winners of the Culinary Olympics. “All of the participants put fantastic performances on the plates and showed what true culinary artistry looks like,” says Daniel Schade. “We would like to thank all the chefs for being here in Stuttgart and are already looking forward to returning in 2028 for the 27th IKA/Culinary Olympics – again in Stuttgart and again alongside Intergastra.”

At the IKA/Culinary Olympics, international culinary talents are given a stage to showcase their skills. All participants are passionate about the cooking profession and once again provided great taste experiences and visual highlights that will be remembered. In the National Team category, Finland ultimately won the competition and took home “Olympic” gold. The team impressed the jury with its precision and artistic craftsmanship. The team from Switzerland followed close behind in second place, winning the silver medal for their outstanding performance. Bronze went to Iceland in the National Team category. The German National Team achieved ninth place in the overall ranking.

As in 2020, Sweden won gold in the Junior National Team category, defending its Olympic title. Norway took second place and silver. Denmark took bronze. The German Junior National Team came fifth.

There were special results this time in the Community Catering and Live Carver categories: The Compass Group Culinary Team Finland and the Swiss Armed Forces Culinary Team/SACT were rated equal on points by the jury to three decimal places. They therefore shared first place in the Community Catering Teams category and both received gold. The Norway Community Catering Team follows in third place with the bronze medal. In the Live Carvers category, An Xuan Li (Taiwan) and Tereza Buchtova (Czech Republic) shared first place. Kuan Ju Li (Taiwan) took the bronze medal.

The Winners in the Different Categories

National Teams

Gold for Finland
Silver for Switzerland
Bronze for Iceland

Junior National Teams

Gold for Sweden
Silver for Norway
Bronze for Denmark

Community Catering Teams

Gold for Compass Group Culinary Team Finland, Finland
Gold for Swiss Armed Forces Culinary Team / SACT, Switzerland
Bronze for Norway Community Catering Team, Norway

Regional Teams

Gold for PaisWorld Culinary Team Korea, South Korea
Silver for Skåne Kulinar, Sweden
Bronze for Cercle des Chefs de Cuisine Lucerne, Switzerland

Live Carvers

Gold for An Xuan Li, Taiwan
Gold for Tereza Buchtova, Czech Republic
Bronze für Kuan Ju Li, Taiwan

The medals of the individual exhibitors and live carvers as well as the ranking of all teams can be found at: www.culinary-olympics.com/ika-2024/medal-table.

The original article can be found here.

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

Benefits include:

Tap into a global community of chefs for greater networking and business opportunities.
Unlock new possibilities with optional digital badging and event competition software.
Gain free of charge digital badges for competitors and winners with co-branding opportunities.
Gain access to downloadable evaluation and scoring sheets on Worldchefs website.

Learn more and apply to endorse your competition: https://worldchefs.org/Endorsement/

Tags #ThisIsWorldchefs, Global Chefs Challenge, Worldchefs

Competition

Visit us at IKA/Culinary Olympics! See our Worldchefs Village agenda & more.

Post author By Olivia
Post date January 31, 2024

Join us at Worldchefs Village in the heart of the competition Hall 2 – booth 2C01 at IKA/Culinary Olympics 2024! Visit our pavilion for exclusive experiences like our daily Get Together parties, live culinary demonstrations + tastings, and more.

Make the most of your Worldchefs Village experience by checking out our agenda below and don’t forget to check out our social media for live updates and stories.

We look forward to meeting you!

About the IKA/Culinary Olympics

The IKA/Culinary Olympics is the oldest, largest and most diverse international culinary arts competition in the world. Full of passion, professional chef teams work on the perfect interaction of ingredients, preparation and presentation. In fair competition, new culinary trends have been created for nearly 125 years.

Anyone who has ever attended the IKA/Culinary Olympics will always remember it’s special flair and the feeling that makes this event so unique. No other international competition for chefs is as diverse, comprehensive and exciting as the mega event in Stuttgart. The IKA/Culinary Olympics bring together the most talented culinary artists from all over the world – a ‘once in a lifetime’ event that has been repeated every four years since 1900.

Divided into different categories, talented chefs with a particular passion for the competition meet at the Culinary Olympics. They face up to their competitors and the attentive jury of experts, show award-winning creations on the plates and start culinary trends .

The competition calls for maximum concentration and a great deal of know-how. Additionally, on the way to the podium, creative achievements count at least as much as cleanliness, hygiene and sustainability in the workplace. And: TIn the team categories, team spiritis often decisive when it comes to winning.

To learn more, visit the official website here.

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

Benefits include:

Tap into a global community of chefs for greater networking and business opportunities.
Unlock new possibilities with optional digital badging and event competition software.
Gain free of charge digital badges for competitors and winners with co-branding opportunities.
Gain access to downloadable evaluation and scoring sheets on Worldchefs website.

Learn more and apply to endorse your competition: https://worldchefs.org/Endorsement/

Tags Competition, IKA/Culinary Olympics, ThisIsWorldchefs

Competition

24th FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition

Post author By Paige
Post date November 24, 2023

Since the first FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition, held in 1998, it has adhered to its original goal: giving students and chefs who love cooking a platform for networking and skills exchange. The competition hopes to cultivate young chefs, so as to promote and strengthen the development of Western food in China and integrate Chinese and Western culinary culture.

With the full guidance of the instructors, the event organizing committee and the recognition and attention of all sectors of society, the competition has risen from an intercontinental event to a top-tier international event. It is a great platform to showcase the talents of all chefs!

The FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition, endorsed by Worldchefs, consists of three major competitions: 2023 FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition, 2023 FHC China International Pastry and Bakery Competition, and 2023 FHC Shanghai International Culinary Championships. The competition took place from November 8th to 10th, 2023, finally resuming after two years due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Let us review this event together!

Honorable guests delivered welcome speech on grand launch ceremony.

The competition was organized by Shanghai Cuisine Industry Association and Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co., Ltd. and was endorsed by Worldchefs. The distinguished speakers at the event included: Chairman-Chen Zhe of the Shanghai Restaurant & Cuisine Association; USDA Deputy Undersecretary, Jason Hafemeister; Chairman of the Worldchefs Culinary Committee, Dr. Rick Stephen; and Chairman of FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition, Clinton Zhu.

Three-day intensive culinary competition

FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition: Display and Hot cooking with 60 sessions in total
Pastry and Bakery Competition: Display and Live with 32 sessions in total
2023 FHC Shanghai International Culinary Championship: International team compete in 2 sets, each 6 hours of live cooking. The teams were from China, South Korea, Australia, and Italy.

The competition was judged by ten distinguished judges, all certified by Worldchefs.

The rules of the competition were as follows: teams of three chefs will cook for twelve people. Three portions will be for the jury to evaluate, one portion for the media, and eight portions for VIP guests of the show to dine at and experience a true international delight.

The results of the 2023 FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition are:

Winner – Italy
First Runner-up – South Korea
Second Runners-up – China and Australia

The culinary works of art featured at the competition were:

Chinese Cuisine and Western Cuisine Culinary Art Displays: Fruit and Vegetable Carving, Tapas/Finger Food, Western Three Course Menu
Chinese Cuisine and Western Cuisine Challenge: IS Seafood Halibut Western Main Course, Sumerians Truffle Chinese Main Course, LBF Australian Beef Western Course, U.S. Chicken Western Main Course, U.S. Potatoes Innovation Western Cuisine, U.S. Pork Western Cuisine Main Course, MINDONGYIYU Yellow Croaker Chinese Main Course, EWEN Arborio Rice Western Main Course, EWEN Pasta Western Main Course, NZ Maimoa Lamp Chinese Main Course, Chu Dao Cellophane Noodle Cuisine.
Pastry and Bakery Competition: Fondant Cake, Afternoon Tea, Buffet Showpiece.
Pastry and Bakery Live: Cake Decoration, Break Baking and Display, Plate Dessert, Chocolate Fondant Cake, Swiss Roll and Pound Cake, Soufflé.

The 27^th FHC Shanghai Global Food Trade Show and the 25^th FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition will be held from November 12th to 14th, 2024. We look forward to your participation!

Learn more at the official FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition website here.

Tags FHC, FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition

Competition Industry Trends News Partnership Press Releases World

Taking Cuisine Out of this World: NASA and Worldchefs Announce New Partnership

Post author By Editor
Post date November 10, 2023

Empowering young chefs to bring gastronomy to space exploration, Worldchefs and NASA’s Hunch program partner on the 2023 Astronaut Culinary Challenge.

NASA HUNCH (High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware) and the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) have announced a new collaborative partnership.
The Astronaut Culinary Challenge Culinary Challenge gives young chefs the opportunity to launch their careers and help develop space-ready innovations in cuisine.
Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Paris, 10 of November 2023 – NASA’s HUNCH program and Worldchefs have announced an exciting collaboration that gives new meaning to haute cuisine. Their partnership empowers young chefs to pioneer space-ready culinary innovations through the Astronaut Culinary Challenge.

As part of HUNCH’s culinary initiative, the Astronaut Culinary Challenge nurtures skill development and the creation of space-friendly cuisine for astronauts. Each year, culinary teams from over 30 schools craft innovative dishes based on a central theme, bringing gastronomy to space exploration.

The HUNCH program’s mission is to inspire students through project-based, student-centric STEM learning. Participants acquire 21st-century skills and gain career-launching experiences by designing and fabricating valuable products for NASA.

Phoebus High School students prepare their dish for judging at the 2020 HUNCH Culinary Challenge at NASA Langley. Credit: NASA

Students learn about space physiology, how nutritional needs change for a body in a microgravity environment, and what to consider when food processing for space flight. Competitors then develop an entree to satisfy the nutrition needs and provide a taste experience for astronauts, ensuring that their creations adhere to the exacting standards of the NASA Johnson Space Center Food Laboratory.

The 2023 Astronaut Culinary Challenge theme is a savory breakfast item that includes a vegetable, with set nutritional guidelines including calories, fats, sodium, and fiber to ensure that astronauts launch into their day with optimal nutrition.

A preliminary round of competition will be held the first week of March, 2024. Teams who advance in the preliminary round will be invited to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for the competition final in April, where their work will be judged by Food Laboratory personnel, industry professionals, the ISS program office, and astronauts for quality, taste, and their research presented in technical paper and video presentation. The winning entree will be processed by the Johnson Space Center Food Lab and sent to the International Space Station for astronauts to savor.

“We are very happy to announce our extraordinary partnership with NASA’s HUNCH program. Together, we can empower young chefs to take their culinary talents beyond our planet’s boundaries, pioneering innovative, space-ready cuisine,” says Thomas A. Gugler, President of Worldchefs. “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to raising industry standards and inspiring the next generation of chefs to build skills for the future. One small step for chefs, one giant leap for gastronomy!”

Winners of the Astronaut Culinary Challenge will be honored at Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2024 in Singapore.

Students from Phoebus High School prepare their breakfast dish at HUNCH’s Preliminary Culinary Challenge at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Credits: NASA/David C. Bowman — NASA/David C. Bowman

Phoebus High School of Hampton, Virginia, has won the 2019 NASA HUNCH Culinary Challenge with their organic harvest hash with butternut squash entrée. Credits: NASA/Mark Knopp — NASA/David C. Bowman

For more information on the HUNCH program, visit nasahunch.com/programs/culinary. For more on the competition guidelines of the Astronaut Culinary Challenge and how to get involved, visit the competition website.

Founded in 1928, the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) represents the largest international membership of food and beverage professionals dedicated to raising industry standards.
With over 240 member national chef associations, educational institutions, and F&B companies, Worldchefs is the global voice of culinary professionals.

Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Cover image:
High School Students Look to Improve Astronauts’ Palates, Workspaces via HUNCH Program. Credit: NASA

– END –

Tags Collaborative Partnership, Culinary Competitions, NASA HUNCH, News, Young Chefs, Youth Empowerment

Competition Country Industry Trends National News Partnership Press Releases World

2024 Gelato World Cup Introduces New Format and Worldchefs Partnership

Post author By Editor
Post date October 2, 2023

Making the world of gelato even sweeter, the 2024 Gelato World Cup introduces new format and Worldchefs partnership, with culinary excellence and global camaraderie set to take center stage in 2024.

The Gelato World Cup and the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) have formed a collaborative partnership, with the 10th Gelato World Cup set to take place in January 2024 in Rimini, Italy.
The 2024 Gelato World Cup will feature teams from five continents competing in various gastronomic trials, fostering culinary excellence and international camaraderie.
Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Paris, 2 of October 2023 – The Gelato World Cup, the world’s benchmark event for artisan gelato, and the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) have announced a new collaborative partnership. The 10th Gelato World Cup, also known as Coppa del Mondo della Gelateria, will be held as part of SIGEP – International Exhibition of Artisan Gelato, Confectionery, and Bakery, The Dolce World Expo, at the Rimini Exhibition Centre from January 20 to 24 2024.

Since its inception in 2003, this biennial competition has consistently been a highlight of SIGEP, eagerly anticipated by gelato artisans, pastry chefs, and ice sculptors from across the globe. At the core of this prestigious competition are the principles of integrity, professionalism, and fairness, which extend to all nations participating. The event enjoys the invaluable support of a World Committee of Honour, comprised of some of the world’s most eminent gelato experts. It is organized collaboratively by SIGEP – Italian Exhibition Group Spa and Gelato e Cultura s.r.l.

Breaking new ground, the 2024 Gelato World Cup introduces a new format with teams representing five continents engaging in a demanding gastronomic challenge. After intense national and continental trials, the crème de la crème from each continent will converge in Rimini to compete in five distinct trials: Gelato, Pastry and Chocolate Making, Ice Sculpture, and Haute Cuisine.

Leading up to the main event in January 2024, countries around the world will host their own national selections, contributing to the anticipation and excitement. European contestants will vie for their place in the competition during the European selection rounds in 2023.

“We are proud to enter into this exciting collaboration with the Gelato World Cup, an event that provides such a great opportunity for competition excellence and international camaraderie,” says Ragnar Fridriksson, Worldchefs Managing Director. “We share a common commitment to enhancing the excellence of global cuisines and providing opportunities for culinary professionals in all sectors. We look forward to January 2024!”

2024 Gelato World Cup
Worldchefs
culinary competition
gelato artisans, pastry chefs, and ice sculptors

Stay tuned for more from the 2024 Gelato World Cup, where culinary excellence takes center stage in a truly international showcase of talent and innovation.

Visit www.gelatoworldcup.com for more information.

Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

– END –

Tags Collaborative Partnership, Culinary Competitions, Gelato World Cup, Ice Sculpture, News, Pastry Arts, Rimini

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

worldchefs

EXPLORE

COMPETITION

EDUCATION

NETWORKING

FEED THE PLANET

Awards & Recognition

What are you looking for?

ABOUT

EVENTS & COMPETITION

TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

GET INVOLVED

History in the Making

A showcase of excellent culinary skills

Recognition of commendable results

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

Worldchefs has announced THREE Competition Seminars!

Click below to learn more details about each competition seminar event:

Competitors: Why attend?

Judges: Why attend?

Worldchefs has announced TWO Competition Seminars!

Click below to learn more details about each competition seminar event:

Competitors: Why attend?

Judges: Why attend?

Chef Daniel Calabrese Triumphs in Worldchefs-Endorsed Regional Competition

Chef Daniel Calabrese clinches top honors in the Worldchefs-Endorsed Vegan Main Course Competition, a landmark event hosted by the Canadian Culinary Federation.

Excellence in Vegan Culinary Arts

Competition Rules and Judging Criteria

Chef Daniel Calabrese’s Winning Dish

Worldchefs Endorsement and Global Recognition

APPLY FOR WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

#THISISWORLDCHEFS

worldchefs

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

About the IKA/Culinary Olympics

APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT

Empowering young chefs to bring gastronomy to space exploration, Worldchefs and NASA’s Hunch program partner on the 2023 Astronaut Culinary Challenge.

Making the world of gelato even sweeter, the 2024 Gelato World Cup introduces new format and Worldchefs partnership, with culinary excellence and global camaraderie set to take center stage in 2024.

EXPLORE

COMPETITION

EDUCATION

NETWORKING

FEED THE PLANET

Awards & Recognition​

What are you looking for?

ABOUT

EVENTS & COMPETITION

TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

GET INVOLVED

Awards & Recognition