Skip to the content 
Worldchefs is hosting a Culinary Arts & Hot Kitchen Competition Seminar in Stuttgart, Germany on 1 February 2024, right before the IKA/Culinary Olympics 2024.
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
Meet Your Seminar Instructors:
Rick Stephen
Dr Rick Stephen has been instrumental in the growth of the culinary profession. Having once an active presence in the competition arena winning many awards and accolades, he has offered guidance and support which contributes to the success of a number of chefs doing well in many competitions and in the culinary profession in Singapore, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, China and Australia.
Dr Stephen was elected as the Continental Director for Asia in May 2011 under the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) banner covering 21 Countries. As part of the WACS Congress Committee, he organised and ran the IFK competition in Korea, and did all the final preparation for the World Finals of the Global Chef and Hans Bueschkens competition since 2008. In continuing his efforts to improve the industry and as part of his WACS involvement in the region, Dr Stephen has conducted WACS approved courses and has been an instigator in training and working with young chefs.
Simon Smotkowicz
Simon immigrated to Canada in 1975 lending his talents to the Edmonton Plaza (Westin), the Four Seasons Edmonton as well as Delta Hotels in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Montreal. In 1988 he returned Edmonton as the Executive Chef at the Shaw Conference Centre until his retirement in 2017. Holding to his philosophy that “eating is a discovery” to be explored through creative experimentation with textures and flavours, Simon has established a professional reputation of excellence for both his culinary and leadership skills.
International competition has been a long-standing interest and commitment for Simon, both with Culinary Team Alberta and Culinary Team Canada. His first competition was in 1983, and since then his artistry, dedication and teamwork have contributed significantly to the successes achieved by our nation’s culinary teams. Combined with his tenacity, drive and uncompromising pursuit of excellence, Simon continues to foster growth and development of Canada and Alberta’s culinary expertise by upholding a leadership and performan
Important information
Date: 9AM – 5PM, Thursday, 1 February 2024
Location: Messe Stuttgart, Messepiazza 1, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany
Registration Fee: €300 (including coffee breaks and lunch)
Note: This seminar is organised exclusively on-site. It will NOT be recorded or streamed for online participation.
Certification: A Worldchefs digital badge and certificate will be issued to participants who attend the seminar.
The registration for this event is now closed.
