One of the world’s largest gatherings of chefs took place in Lahore, Pakistan, marking a day of pride, passion, and culinary excellence.
Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP), the only national member of Worldchefs from Pakistan, celebrated International Chefs Day 2025 with grand activities across the country. The nationwide celebrations brought together professional and young chefs. Together, they honored the culinary profession and the values it represents — creativity, passion, and community.
Nationwide Celebrations Led by the Chefs Association of Pakistan
The main celebration took place at Alhamra Hall 1, Mall Road, Lahore. Parallel activities were organized in Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Sarai Alamgir, and other cities by CAP’s regional chapters.
The Lahore event commenced with a special video message from Worldchefs President Andy Cuthbert. This was followed by an inspiring message from CAP President Ahmad Shafiq. CAP Vice President Chef Muhammad Raees also shared a message. A captivating video highlighting the journey and milestones of CAP was also presented. It showcased the association’s continuous efforts to uplift the chefs’ community in Pakistan.
Honouring Pakistan’s Culinary Leaders and Professionals
Among the CAP team attending the event were CAP Patron Waqar Ilyas Khan and Secretary General Mian Shahid Mehmood. Vice President International Affairs (Central Secretariat) Muhammad Raees and Vice President HoReCa Fraaz Kasuri were also present. Finance Secretary Nadeem Anwar, Advisors to the President Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Razzaq, and other members of the National Executive Committee also attended.
A highlight of the ceremony was the Chef Belt Award Presentation. Senior chefs from the hospitality industry were honoured for their outstanding services and contributions. The announcement of winners from COTHM’s in-house “COTHM Culinary Challenge” added further excitement to the celebration. Certificates and cash prizes were presented to participants and winners.
To mark the spirit of the day, a chefs’ walk was held. There was also a balloon-release ceremony and a cake-cutting ceremony, followed by a grand hi-tea for all attendees.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In her address, she commended CAP’s role in uniting and empowering the chefs’ community across Pakistan, emphasizing that the association’s growth and influence are remarkable examples of professional organization and dedication. She also assured CAP of continued government support for the development and welfare of Pakistani chefs.
Industry Sponsors Strengthen International Chefs Day 2025
The event was generously supported by industry partners. Cheezious served as the Title Sponsor, while Nestlé Professional, K&N’s, and Blue Band Professional were Gold Sponsors. Ambassador Commercial Kitchen Equipment joined as the Silver Sponsor. Nestlé Professional’s Nutrition Team delivered an informative session on healthy cooking practices and distributed exclusive gifts among the chefs. Blue Band Professional and K&N’s also contributed by offering product giveaways and live food tasting during the event. Cheezious supported the event with branding and promotional assistance, making the celebration even more vibrant.
A special lucky draw added to the festive mood, where a motorbike, generously sponsored by international recipe expert Ijaz Ahmad Khan, was announced as the grand prize.
Representing Pakistan on the Global Stage
During his address, CAP Secretary General Mian Shahid Mehmood highlighted that CAP continues to serve as the unified platform for chefs in Pakistan, committed to professional growth, education, and recognition. He also officially announced the Pakistan International Culinary Championship (PICC) 2026 – Season 8, inviting chefs from across the world to participate.
Adding to the excitement, CAP President Ahmad Shafiq, speaking through a video from abroad, announced that Pakistan has been selected to host the Worldchefs Asia Presidents Forum 2026, after winning the bid over Penang, Malaysia. The announcement was met with overwhelming enthusiasm and applause from the entire chefs’ community.
The International Chefs Day 2025 celebrations by CAP truly embodied the theme of unity, passion, and pride in the culinary profession. Through its ongoing efforts and international collaborations, CAP continues to represent Pakistan’s culinary excellence on the global stage under the umbrella of Worldchefs.
