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United Arab Emirates, 25th May 2025 – Following three exciting days of culinary competition at the Global Chefs Challenge Africa & Middle East Regional Semi-Finals, the results are now in! Held from May 21–23, 2025, during ExpoCulinaire and alongside the Emirates Salon Culinaire in Sharjah, UAE, the event showcased the remarkable talent and creativity of the region’s chefs.
Throughout the competition, top chefs showcased their expertise across four categories: Global Chefs Challenge, Global Young Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, and Global Vegan Chefs Challenge. Competitors battled for a prestigious opportunity to advance to the Global Chefs Challenge Finals, set to take place at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 in Wales.
Results are listed below by category.
Global Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Teams
- 1st Place: Elizabeth Puleni Taati Isai, Namibia
- 2nd Place: Yury Evfimento, UAE
See the Global Chefs Challenge official results below:
Global Young Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Team
- 1st Place: Kevin Glorial Putra Pamara, Qatar
See the Global Young Chefs Challenge official results below:
Global Pastry Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Team
- 1st Place: Ruwan Kumara Phille Gedara, UAE
See the Global Pastry Chefs Challenge official results below:
Global Vegan Chefs Challenge Final Qualifying Team
- 1st Place: Janam Maharjan, UAE
See the Global Vegan Chefs Challenge official results below:
Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award
At the Global Chefs Challenge Africa & Middle East Regional Semi-Finals, the Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award was given to competitors including Elizabeth Puleni Taati Isai (Namibia), Kevin Glorial Putra Pamara (Qatar) and Janam Maharjan (UAE). This prestigious award from Nestlé Professional celebrates the fusion of culinary excellence with a deep commitment to sustainability, recognizing chefs who excel in both creating world-class dishes and adopting environmentally responsible practices in their kitchens.
The Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award was awarded for the first time during the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2024 in Singapore, and will continue to recognize chefs’ sustainable efforts in the Global Chefs Challenge Semi-Finals and the Global Chefs Challenge Finals in Wales 2026.
Upcoming Semi-Finals
Congratulations to all participants and to the qualifying teams that will move on to compete in Wales at the Global Chefs Challenge Finals in 2026.
The Global Chefs Challenge – Americas Semi-Finals will be held in Las Vegas, USA from 27-31 July, 2025.
The Global Chefs Challenge – Asia Semi-Finals will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 23-26 September, 2025.
The Global Chefs Challenge – Pacific Rim Semi-Finals will be held in Nikao, Cook Islands from 2-4 October, 2025.
To learn more about the Global Chefs Challenge and the road to Wales 2026, visit https://worldchefs.org/globalchefschallenge/.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Finally, we’d like to give a special thank you to the sponsors of this event, whose support was essential in making the competition a success! We are proud to work alongside these partners and look forward to continued global collaborations.
Thank you Nestlé Professional, Dilmah, Koppert Cress, Sterling Halibut, VanDrie Group, Ambrose & Paubet and White Queen.
Want to Compete in Global Chefs Challenge?
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 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 landmark 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 skillsin 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.
