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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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. Theteams 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.
The Astronaut Culinary Challenge Culinary Challenge gives young chefs the opportunity to launch their careers and help develop space-ready innovations in cuisine.
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!”
NASA/David C. BowmanNASA/Mark KnoppNASANASA / Mark KnoppNASA / Lucy Prince
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.
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.
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!”
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.
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.
Interested in taking the first step towards becoming a Worldchefs Certified Judge or learning more about Competition requirements? Join Worldchefs for a Competition Seminar during the IKA/Culinary Olympics 2024. We will host four Competition Seminars, which will take place on February 1, 2024.
Click below to learn more details about each competition seminar event:
More Information:
Competition Seminar instructors share techniques from both the perspective of Worldchefs Certified Judges and award-winning competitors. Participants gain an understanding of not only judging criteria but also best practices in the competition kitchen and tactics that consistently reach the highest place at the podium.
Current judges: All Worldchefs Certified Judges are required to attend a Competition Seminar every five years.
Future judges: Attending a Competition Seminar is a mandatory part of the process to become a Worldchefs Certified Judge. Participants are awarded a certificate of participation that can be submitted as one of the required credentials in an application. To learn more about the process and for a complete list of requirements, download the Worldchefs Certified Judge application form here.
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.
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.
Learn more about becoming a Worldchefs Certified Judge
Attending a Competition Seminar is one of the required credentials in a Certified Judge application. Keep in mind, all Certified Judges are required to attend a Competition Seminar every five years. These intensive workshops provide key information about current trends, competition rules and judging criteria, to help chefs keep up-to-date and at their best!
Attending applicable Competition Seminars is one part of the process to become a judge, and does not automatically qualify you as a Certified Judge. Applicants must fulfil additional criteria and provide evidence of support in a formal application process. To learn more about the full approval process, visit: www.worldchefs.org/Application-To-Become-A-Judge
See the final results for the Worldchefs European Grand Prix: Global Chefs Challenge European Regional Semi-Finals!
Worldchefs European Grand Prix 2023 and the first semi-final rounds for the prestigious Global Chefs Challenge culinary competition, were held in Rimini, Italy from 19 to 22 February 2023.
The event was hosted by Federazione Italiana Cuochi (FIC) during the Beer&Food Attraction, BB Tech Expo and 12th International Horeca Meeting.
Qualifying teams will advance to compete in the Global Chefs Finals during the 2024 Worldchefs Congress & Expo.
Rimini, 22 February 2023 – The World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) has announced the results from the Worldchefs European Grand Prix 2023, which was held alongside the first semi-final rounds of the prestigious Global Chef Challenge culinary competition. Held in Rimini, Italy, alongside the Beer&Food Attraction, BB Tech Expo and 12th International Horeca Meeting, the the semi-final competition was hosted by Italy’s Worldchefs National Association Member, Federazione Italiana Cuochi (FIC).
Over days of tough competition, Europe’s top culinary teams have shown their mastery of the culinary arts through four competition categories: Global Chefs Challenge, Global Vegan Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, and Global Young Chefs Challenge – Hans Bueschkens Trophy. Competitors went head to head for a coveted chance to compete at the Global Chef Challenge Finals during the 2024 Worldchefs Congress & Expo in Singapore.
Final Results:
Results are listed below by category: Global Chefs Challenge, Global Vegan Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, and Global Young Chefs Challenge.
Worldchefs European Grand Prix: Global Chefs Challenge Results
Winner: Germany
Second Place: Italy
Third Place: Netherlands
Global Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Teams
Europe Central: Germany and Netherlands
Europe North: Estonia and Wales
Europe South: Italy and Cyprus
See the full results below:
Worldchefs European Grand Prix: Global Vegan Chefs Challenge Results
Winner: Luxembourg
Second Place: Latvia
Third Place: Serbia
Global Vegan Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Teams
Europe Central: Luxembourg
Europe North: Latvia
Europe South: Serbia
See the full results below:
Worldchefs European Grand Prix: Global Pastry Chefs Challenge Results
Winner: Italy
Second Place: Romania
Third Place: Czech Republic
Global Pastry Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Teams
Europe Central: Romania
Europe North: Azerbaijan
Europe South: Italy
See the full results below:
Worldchefs European Grand Prix: Global Young Chefs Challenge Results
Winner: Norway
Second Place: Italy
Third Place: Czech Republic
Global Young Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Teams
Europe Central: Czech Republic
Europe North: Norway
Europe South: Italy
See the full results below:
Congratulations to each participant, and to the qualifying teams that will move on to compete in Singapore at the Global Chefs Challenge Finals:
The Global Chef Challenge Asia Regional Semi-Finals will be held in Manila, Philippines, 2- 5, August 2023 alongside The Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC) and the World Food Expo (WOFEX).
If you wish to put your talent to the test, contact your National Chefs Association for opportunities to participate. Visit worldchefs.org/Members for a list of member nations.
Global Chefs Challenge Finals at Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024
Worldchefs Congress & Expo is a hallmark tradition of Worldchefs, and has been organized in 39 cities around the world throughout its illustrious 94-year history. The four-day forum brings together delegates from across the five continents to network and expand their professional bonds. The unique program delivers presentations and workshops from leading experts in the hospitality industry, impactful educational programs including the Worldchefs Educators’ Forum, specialized events designed to uplift the next generation of chefs such as the Bill Gallagher Young Chefs Forum, an international trade exhibition, the Global Chefs Challenge competition, and diverse activities to enhance both personal and professional networks.
The 2024 Worldchefs Congress & Expo and Global Chefs Challenge Finals will be held in Singapore, hosted by the Singapore Chefs Association.
The World Association of Chefs’ Societies, known as Worldchefs, is a dynamic global network of 110 chef associations worldwide. A leading voice in the hospitality industry, Worldchefs carries 91 years of history since its founding at the Sorbonne by the venerable Auguste Escoffier. Representing a mobilized international membership of culinary professionals, Worldchefs is committed to advancing the profession and leveraging the influence of the chef jacket for the betterment of the industry and humanity at large.
Worldchefs is dedicated to raising culinary standards and social awareness through these core focus areas:
Education – Worldchefs offers support for education and professional development through the landmark Worldchefs Academy online training program, a diverse network of Worldchefs Education Partners and curriculum, and the world’s first Global Hospitality Certification recognizing on-the-job skills in hospitality;
Networking – Worldchefs connects culinary professionals around the world through their online community platform and provides a gateway for industry networking opportunities through endorsed events and the biennial Worldchefs Congress & Expo;
Competition – Worldchefs sets global standards for competition rules, provides Competition Seminars and assurance of Worldchefs Certified Judges, and operates the prestigious Global Chefs Challenge;
Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.
IKA/Culinary Olympics 2024: Pre-Registration Open, Conditions of Participation Online
Teams can now pre-register to participate in the IKA/Culinary Olympics 2024. Official registration will be possible shortly. In addition, the Conditions of Participation have been published.
In about one year, hundreds of chefs from all over the world will once again be causing goosebump moments in Stuttgart: at the IKA/Culinary Olympics, which will take place from February 2 to 7, 2024, parallel to the Intergastra trade fair, they will be competing for Olympic gold. Teams (National, Junior National, Community Catering and Regional) can now already pre-register for a starting place in the unique competition. Official registration for participation – then also for Individual Exhibitors and Live Carvers – is expected to open in mid-February 2023.
For your pre-registration, send an email to [email protected]. Please indicate which team you would like to pre-register.
In addition, the Conditions of Participation for all competition categories can now be viewed and downloaded.
About IKA/Culinary Olympics
Anyone who has ever attended the IKA/Culinary Olympics will always remember its 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: in the team categories, team spirits are often defensive when it comes to winning.
The IKA/Culinary Olympics 2024 is a Worldchefs Endorsed Competition. Learn more and apply to endorse your competition: https://worldchefs.org/Endorsement/
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