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Global Chefs Challenge Finals, the biggest competition for Chefs, will be held during FHA-HoReCa from 22-25 October 2024.
In a collaborative effort, FHA-HoReCa joins forces with the Worldchefs and the Singapore Chefs’ Association to proudly bring back the Worldchefs Congress & Expo to Singapore after 34 years.
The official return of the Worldchefs Congress & Expo was announced at a press conference attended by key figures such as Ian Roberts, Vice President of Informa Markets (Asia); Otto Weibel, Worldchefs Honorary Member, Director of Ottscott, Honorary President of the Singapore Chefs’ Association; Rudolf Muller, Member of the Culinary Competition Committee and Leader of the Global Chefs Challenge Finals; and Eric Neo, President of the Singapore Chefs’ Association (SCA).
FHA-HoReCa 2024 serves as an exciting platform to showcase the robust collaborative partnership between the Worldchefs Congress & Expo and the Singapore Chefs Association, as well as a congregation of over 5,000 chefs from 110 countries.
Of particular significance is the highly anticipated comeback of the Global Chefs Challenge Finals, which will be held during the FHA-HoReCa 2024 event. It is worth noting that the last appearance of this competition in Singapore was in 1990, coinciding with the Asian debut of the Worldchefs Congress & Expo.
During the press conference, Worldchefs Congress & Expo announced the final competing countries and their corresponding teams of the Global Chefs Challenge Finals. Esteemed competitors include:
- Tom Lamers, Head Chef of one-MICHELIN-starred Het Koetshuis, Netherlands
- Shayan Viranga Don, Demi Chef of TakaHisa in Banyan Tree, Dubai
- Kasdi Dahari, Executive Chef at Hilton
- Andrew Ballard, Captain of the Australian Culinary Team for IKA 2024
- Dinars Zvidrins, Latvian Chef of the Year in 2021
- Dobre Andrei Flavian, Best Male Pastry Chef of 2023, Romania
- Ivan Derizemlja, Estonian Chef of the Year in 2021
- John Buenaventura, Executive Chef at Emirates Flight Catering
- Ken Cacho, 3-time Chef of the Year awardee of the Philippine Culinary Cup
- Tim Recher, Executive Chef of Frenchman’s Creek Beach & Country Club, FL, USA
Ian Roberts, Vice President of Informa Markets said, “With the dynamic partnership of FHA-HoReCa and the Worldchefs Congress, we’re not just setting a place at the table; we’re creating a feast of innovation and culinary mastery that will reverberate throughout the industry. This event highlights Informa Markets’ steadfast commitment to promoting and advancing the culinary industry, and facilitating it allows us to provide chefs and culinary professionals with an unparalleled platform to showcase their talents to a network of industry leaders.”
President of the Singapore Chefs’ Association, Eric Neo, says, “The SCA has a strong history of partnering with FHA for decades, lending our expertise to the culinary competitions, including world-class competitions such as Battle of the Lion. As the official country member of Worldchefs from Singapore, we have also been sending competitors to the Global Chef Challenge and made Singapore proud! We are pleased to see two of SCA’s valued partners come together to bring this global competition to our world-class city and look forward to making an impact to the culinary world this October!”
Launch of Global Vegan Chefs Challenge in the Global Chefs Challenge Finals
The 2024 Global Chefs Challenge Finals will see the world’s top chefs meet to compete in four competition categories:
- Global Vegan Chefs Challenge
- Global Pastry Chefs Challenge
- Global Young Chefs Challenge
- Global Chefs Challenge
The Global Chefs Challenge Finals will see its newest category Global Vegan Chefs Challenge’s first finals. This competition features innovative chefs who will showcase vegan culinary skills. Their plates must exclude animal proteins while creatively and tastily combining key vegan ingredients.
Worldchefs President Thomas Gugler states, “The Global Vegan Chefs Challenge embodies Worldchefs’ commitment to innovation and sustainability, aligning with our mission to equip culinary professionals for the future. As we anticipate the 2024 Worldchefs Congress in Singapore, celebrating 34 years of collaboration and our 96-year legacy, we’re excited to introduce this new category, showcasing our dedication to advancing culinary standards and embracing emerging trends.”
The Global Pastry Chefs Challenge features the crème de la crème in the pastry competition. Competitors strive to meet the standards of the world’s most modern patisseries, enticing the five senses through their knowledge, extraordinary technique, and versatility.
The Global Young Chefs Challenge features emerging talents who are 25 years of age or younger. The top Young Chef winner will be awarded the Hans Bueschkens Trophy, named after Chef Hans J. Bueschkens, the former president of Worldchefs, who championed the development of programs aimed at promoting and nurturing young individuals for careers in the culinary industry.
In the Global Chefs Challenge, participants demonstrate their culinary skills in high-pressure situations, showcasing their ability to adapt under pressure. Their creations must not only be appetizing and flavorful but also exhibit exemplary plating for efficient service.
Worldchefs Congress, a Hallmark Tradition for culinary Innovators
Making its return to Singapore soil since its first exposition in Singapore in 1990, the Worldchefs Congress is set to take place in Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre across three days from 20-22 October 2024. This event is also supported by the Singapore Chefs’ Association, a chef association member of Worldchefs.
Worldchefs Congress & Expo is a biennial event and delivers a unique program for industry leaders to network, bond, and improve their knowledge. This includes presentations and workshops from leading experts in the 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, the Global Chefs Challenge Finals culinary competition, an international trade exhibition, and diverse activities to enhance both your personal and professional network.
Register Now
Get your tickets to the Worldchefs Congress & Expo now online at https://www.worldchefscongress.org/register. Groups get to enjoy a promotion of 10% when they purchase 10 tickets or more.
For a full press kit, kindly refer here: https://bit.ly/WCCatFHAFB24
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Media Contact
Informa Markets
Theodora Soh
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Worldchefs
Olivia Ruszczyk
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Brand Cellar
Vanessa Chong
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Shane Yong
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Ting Tan
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About FHA-HoReCa
FHA-HoReCa brings together the most extensive line-up of the world’s leading foodservice and hospitality suppliers through 5 specialised sectors – Bakery, Pastry & Gelato; Food service & Hospitality Equipment; Hospitality Style; Hospitality Technology and Specialty Coffee and Tea. The majority of exhibitors participating in FHA-HoReCa are renowned manufacturers and brands hailing from over 30 countries and regions.
For more information on FHA-HoReCa, kindly refer here: https://bit.ly/FHAHoReCaHome
About Worldchefs Congress & Expo
The global leading platform that brings together chef delegates and professionals from across the five continents, Worldchefs Congress & Expo delivers a unique program to help industry players network and expand their professional bonds.
This includes presentations and workshops from leading experts in the 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, the Global Chefs Challenge Finals culinary competition, an international trade exhibition, and diverse activities to enhance both your personal and professional network.
For more information on Worldchefs Congress, kindly refer here: www.worldchefscongress.org
Thank you to Nestlé Professional and Electrolux Professional, along with all of our sponsors, for making the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024 possible.
