Following five Regional Semi-Finals, and with additional finalists from Finland (IKA 2024 Winner) and host nation Wales, the stage is set for a showcase of the world’s top culinary talent.
- Five regional semi-finals, one global stage – Finalists from across Europe, Africa & Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Rim are preparing to compete in Wales at the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2026.
- Four categories of excellence – Global Chefs, Global Pastry Chefs, Global Vegan Chefs, and Global Young Chefs will showcase their skill, creativity, and innovation.
- See the Global Chefs Challenge live in Wales – Join us in Wales to catch all the action at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026.
Paris, 28 October 2025 – After an extraordinary year of competition spanning five continents, Worldchefs is proud to announce the finalists who will compete in the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2026, taking place during the Worldchefs Congress & Expo, 16–19 May 2026, at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.
Representing the world’s top culinary talent, they now advance to the Finals in Wales, joined by Finland, winner of IKA 2024, and host nation Wales, competing on home soil for the first time in Worldchefs’ 98-year history.
A Journey Around the Culinary World
From the European Grand Prix in Rimini to the final Pacific showdown in the Cook Islands, the 2025 season celebrated the artistry, innovation, and professionalism that define Worldchefs competitions. Chefs competed across four categories: Global Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, Global Vegan Chefs Challenge, and the Global Young Chefs Challenge (Hans Bueschkens Trophy).
“We are proud to announce the finalists for the prestigious Worldchefs Global Chefs Challenge competition! This remarkable achievement reflects not only culinary excellence but also the dedication, creativity, and professionalism that define the very best in our profession,” said Rick Stephen, Worldchefs Vice President and Culinary Competition Committee Chair. “As a finalist, they will represent their country on the global stage, competing among the world’s most talented chefs. It’s a moment of pride not only for the individual, but for our entire culinary community of Worldchefs.”
Highlights from the 2025 Regional Semi-Finals
Europe – European Grand Prix 2025, Rimini, Italy
Over 50 chefs competed in Rimini for the first regional semi-finals of the season. Italy’s Giuseppe De Vincenzo claimed top honors in the European Grand Prix.
Africa & Middle East – Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Held during ExpoCulinaire and the Emirates Salon Culinaire, the event celebrated regional excellence. Elizabeth Puleni Taati Isai (Namibia) and Yury Evfimento (UAE) will continue to the finals in the Global Chefs category.
Americas – Las Vegas, USA
Hosted during the ACF National Convention, the Americas Semi-Finals spotlighted dynamic performances. Derek R. Mazzocoli (USA) and Jaime Leal Cruz (Mexico) led the pack, qualifying for the finals.
Asia – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Featuring 51 teams from 14 countries, Asia’s semi-final shone with innovation and technical mastery. Stanton Wong Hau Zhe (Singapore) and Trinh Tuan Dung (Vietnam) were among the standout winners.
Pacific Rim – Nikao, Cook Islands
The semi-finals season concluded in the Cook Islands, where Leslie Chan (Australia) and Navneet Reddy (Fiji) earned their tickets to Wales, among others.
Host Country – Wales
Wales will proudly compete in each category, led by Sam Everton, Calum Smith, Ryan Jones, and Andrew Minto, following their victories at the Welsh International Culinary Championships.
To relive the action from the 2025 semi-finals, click here.
Meet the Finalists
Hopefully, I can win a medal at the Global Chef Challenge finals on home soil next year.
Representing Wales in the Global Chefs Challenge is Sam Everton, lecturer at Coleg Ceredigion, Cardigan who works weekends at the Michelin accredited Yr Hen Printworks, Cardigan.
Global Chefs Challenge Finalists
- Australia: Leslie Chan
- Denmark: Tommy Jespersen
- Fiji: Navneet Reddy
- Finland (IKA 2024 Winner): Katja Tuomainen
- Iceland: Hinrik Órn Lárusson
- Italy: Giuseppe De Vincenzo
- Mexico: Jaime Leal Cruz
- Namibia: Elizabeth Puleni Taati Isai
- Netherlands: Ruben van Zanten
- Portugal: André Serra
- Singapore: Stanton Wong Hau Zhe
- Slovakia: Andreo Roth
- UAE: Yury Evfimento
- USA: Derek R. Mazzocoli
- Vietnam: Tuan Dung Trinh
- Wales (Host): Sam Everton
Global Pastry Chefs Challenge Finalists
- Czech Republic: Karolína Hávová
- Fiji: Vikash Chetty
- Mexico: Pablo Galvan
- Norway: Martine Espeland
- Serbia: Milan Lukovic
- Singapore: Cheng Yen Ping
- UAE: Ruwan Kumara Phille Gedara
- Wales (Host): Andrew Minto
Global Vegan Chefs Challenge Finalists
- Denmark: Bjarke Jeppesen
- Fiji: Abinesh Sharma
- Hong Kong: Ben Chan Chi Bun
- Italy: Luigi D’Antonio
- Romania: Alin Vadean
- UAE: Janam Maharjan
- USA: Michael J. Stamets
- Wales (Host): Ryan Jones
Global Young Chefs Challenge Finalists (Hans Bueschkens Trophy)
- Australia: Liam Brnic
- Cyprus: Constantina Papaioannou
- Norway: Trym Karlsen
- Qatar: Kevin Glorial Putra Pamara
- Romania: Antohi Paul
- Taiwan: Yi-Hsuan Hung
- USA: Yeishalee Santana
- Wales (Host): Calum Smith
Hear from the Finalists
The Road to Wales
We all believe [mental training] is very important. It brings you security and a good base you can stand on. If you face challenges during the competition, your coaches cannot help. You have to help yourself. This brings you self-confidence and the instruments to work on the challenges if something happens.
2024 Worldchefs’ Global Chef Challenge winner, Ale Mordasini traces his inspiring journey from apprenticing in Switzerland to winning the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2024 in Singapore on this episode of World on a Plate.
The Global Chefs Challenge is where the world’s top chefs meet to compete in four competition categories. Selected through top performance at the Worldchefs Regional Semi-Finals in 2025, qualifying teams will go head-to-head at the Global Chef Challenge Finals. Here, the best and brightest convene to show mastery in the culinary arts.
To learn more about the Global Chefs Challenge and the road to Wales 2026, visit https://worldchefs.org/globalchefschallenge/.
Explore the results from past editions.
See the Global Chefs Challenge Live
Catch the action live at Worldchefs Congress & Expo in Wales!
Network and expand your professional bonds with the most influential culinary body worldwide. Join us for Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, taking place 16–19 May 2026 in Newport, Wales. This edition’s theme, ‘Pasture, Passion, Plate,’ celebrates the journey of food from its origins to the final dish and highlights how food connects us all—from farm to fork, across borders and cultures.
“We look forward to welcoming all of our talented and driven Global Chefs Challenge competitors to Worldchefs Congress in Wales,” says Andy Cuthbert, Worldchefs President. “The event is always a highlight of the Congress, with so much energy from the competition kitchens and cheering fans.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a global gathering that shapes the future of food. Plus, check out Welsh chefs’ top picks for your trip to Wales.
For a £200 discount, register by October 31 and enjoy early bird rates.
Global Chefs Challenge Finals at Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026
Worldchefs Congress & Expo is a hallmark tradition of Worldchefs, and has been organized in cities around the world throughout its illustrious 98-year history. The 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 2026 Worldchefs Congress & Expo and Global Chefs Challenge Finals will be held in Wales, hosted by the Culinary Association of Wales.
Visit www.worldchefscongress.org for more information.
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About Worldchefs
The World Association of Chefs’ Societies, known as Worldchefs, is a federation made up of 110 national chef associations. A leading voice in the hospitality industry, Worldchefs carries years of history since its founding in 1928 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:
Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.
Education – Worldchefs offers support for education and professional development through the Worldchefs Academy online training program, a diverse network of Worldchefs Education Partners and curriculum, and the world’s first Global Culinary Certification recognizing on-the-job skills in hospitality;
Networking – Worldchefs connects culinary professionals around the world 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.
