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Competition

GELATO EUROPE CUP – the finalists

Please find the original press release from Gelato World Cup here.

Germany, France, Italy and Belgium are qualified for the Gelato World Cup 2026

Rimini – Selected the 4 finalists of the Gelato Europe Cup that qualified for the world final in January 2026. 

First Germany, Second France, third Italy and Fourth Belgium are the winners of the Gelato Europe Cup and will attend the 11th edition of the Gelato World Cup at Sigep World in January 2026. 

Each team has brought a different theme, in order: Amazzonia (Germany), Haute Couture (France), Luna Park (Italy) and Moon (Belgium). 

Organised By SIGEP World and Gelato e Cultura srl, the competition selects the best European gelato and pastry teams to participate in the 11th Gelato World Cup, the world’s most important international team competition dedicated to the sector, scheduled to take place at SIGEP 2026. 

These will be joined by the 3 teams selected last October at the Gelato Asia Cup (Japan, Singapore, South Korea) and another 5 who will be selected respectively 1 at the Gelato China Cup at Sigep China from 24 to 26 April 2025 and 4 at the Gelato America Cup at FITHEP Buenos Aires from 9 to 12 June 2025.

The European semi finals just concluded at Sigep included 6 competition rounds: ‘Upcycled gelato’ tub, Gelato cake, Single portion in Glass Cup, Cream Mystery box, Fruit Mystery box and Gelato sticks. 

8 the official teams participated to the Gelato Europe Cup 2025. Each team consisting of 2 (two) competitors with skills in Gelato and Pastry-Chocolate, and a Team Manager: Italy lead by Alessandro Racca, with Gabriele Fiumara and Angelo Cardella, Germany lead by Stefano Lucchini, with Federico Sacchet and Tiziano Santin, Albania lead by Rosilda Collaku replaced by Irdi Cuka, with Dejvi Hajderaj Kevin Boseta Poland lead by Aleksander Pitura, with Michal Molenda Anna and Siwiec Kaczmarczyk, UK lead by Taseer Ahmad, with Massimiliano Porta and Daniel Schevenels, France lead by Dartois Herve, Allan Cartignies and Enzo Babtista, Romania lead by Oana Gabriela Nita with Vladimir Andrei Dascalu and Morar Cornel Constantin and Belgium lead by Fabio Marasti with Maryne Poppe and Jose Romero.

Each team has been judged from 2 juries: The ‘Artistic’ jury with all the Team Managers to assess the decorative and aesthetic aspect of the tests, The ‘Technical’ jury, made up of 3 international WORLDCHEFS professional judges, to evaluatè all taste-related aspects of all entries, Carlo Sauber, Sebastian Petterson and Ljubika Komlenic. The ‘Press’ jury, made up of food and wine journalists, judging only the new important test that will be included also next year in the Gelato World Cup: “Upcycled Gelato” tab test, a challenge designed to transform waste ingredients into authentic creations of excellence. Federica Serva PuntoIT, Alexie Valois La Toque Magazin, Bernard Badarida TF1, Martina Kirchner Kabel Eins, Chiara Mancusi Pasticceria Internazionale, Mara Cella Forbes and Luxury files magazine, Lorenzo Cresci Il Gusto, Carlo Antonio Gentile RAI, Led by the director of the newspaper “Il Gusto” Eleonora Cozzella, awarded in order Italy, France and Belgium.

Supervising the project is the CONTROL COMMITTEE in which each member has a vote in the event of disputes, and the GUARANTORS, who have supervisory functions in relation to the competitors during the competition and also coordinate the teams in their dealings with the jury. 3 Italian: Marco Venturino – Cinzia Otri – Antonio Morgese and 2 international: Marco Miquel Sirvent – Emanule Ryon, led by Sergio Dondoli known guarantor from the organisational committee. 

The Gelato Europe Cup is an event that celebrates artisanal excellence, preparing the ground for the biennial appointment of the Gelato World Cup, a historic and culminating event where 12 teams from around the world will compete for the world title in January 2026 at Sigep in Rimini. Only four teams from the Gelato Europe Cup semi-final will enter the prestigious international competition next January.

The Gelato Europe Cup is supported by the sponsors: Anselmi, Babbi, Electrolux e Valrhona platinum sponsor. 

Adamance e Carpigiani golden sponsor. 

Silver sponsor sono Frascheri, Medac e Team System; sponsor tecnici Ico Cialde, IFI, Karel, Paperlynen, Reire, Sara Creazioni, Selmi, Sosa, Caffé Toraldo, Aia, Lauretana, Naonix.

Mistery sponsor, featured in the mistery box test, will be Anselmi, Frascheri, Babbi e Norohy.

Media Partners: PuntoIT di Editrade and Pasticceria Internazionale.

PHOTO


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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/

Categories
Competition

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

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/

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Competition Seminar

Worldchefs announces three upcoming Competition Seminars at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 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.

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.

Click below to learn more details about each competition seminar event:
Vegan/Plant-Based Competition Seminar
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] 

Categories
Competition Seminar

Worldchefs announces two upcoming Competition Seminars!

Worldchefs has announced TWO 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.

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].

Categories
Competition

Chef Daniel Calabrese Triumphs in Worldchefs-Endorsed Regional Competition

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.

Vegan Main Course Culinary Competition 
Worldchefs judging jury

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
Winning dish
Worldchefs Endorsed Vegan Main Course Competition

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

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/


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Categories
Competition

PICC 2024 Recognized on the World’s Stage

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.

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 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

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/

Categories
Competition World News

Finland wins the 26th IKA/Culinary Olympics

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

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/

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Competition

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

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

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/

Categories
Competition

24th FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition

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 27th FHC Shanghai Global Food Trade Show and the 25th 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.

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

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

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.


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

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