Every young chef deserves guidance, encouragement, and the opportunity to grow with the support of those who have walked the path before them.
In recognition of World Youth Skills Day, Worldchefs is proud to introduce the new Young Chefs Mentorship Program Toolkit, a practical resource created to help National Chef Associations build structured mentorship opportunities for young chefs in their communities.
The toolkit offers associations a clear starting point to connect young chefs with experienced culinary professionals, turning mentorship into a more accessible and consistent pathway for learning, confidence-building, and career development.
Why Mentorship Matters
Supporting young chefs means investing in the future of the culinary profession. The early years of a culinary career can be exciting, but also demanding: young chefs are finding their voice, building confidence, and learning what it means to grow within a team, a kitchen, and a wider professional community.
Mentorship helps make that path less solitary. It creates space for guidance, honest exchange, and shared experience, while strengthening the connection between generations of chefs. This is the spirit behind the Young Chefs Mentorship Program Toolkit: helping associations create more structured opportunities for young chefs to feel supported, stay engaged, and develop into future industry leaders.
For more on young chef development and the pathways that can support the next generation, watch Jasper Jek, Chair of the Worldchefs Young Chefs Development Committee, in his session from Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026here.
Start Building Your Mentorship Program
Ready to create more opportunities for young chefs in your association? Start by downloading the Young Chefs Mentorship Program Toolkit and using it as a practical guide to shape an initiative that fits your local community.
The toolkit gives National Chef Associations a clear starting point to recruit mentors, invite young chefs to take part, match participants, guide the first meeting, and support the journey over time. It is structured enough to help associations begin with confidence, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to local needs and resources.
Inside, associations will find editable documents and PDF versions, including mentor recruitment forms, mentee application forms, mentor profile forms, first meeting guides, activity kits, and evaluation forms.
With this toolkit, Worldchefs invites National Chef Associations to turn mentorship into action, creating stronger pathways for young chefs to learn, connect, and lead!
Mark Your Calendars: International Chefs Day is October 20th!
Each year on October 20, chefs around the world come together to celebrate International Chefs Day. Founded in 2004 by the late Chef Dr. Bill Gallagher, this global tradition honors the culinary profession and its role in inspiring, educating, and supporting the next generation through food.
For International Chefs Day 2026, Worldchefs and Nestlé Professional are bringing back the Food Explorers campaign and taking it a step further. Building on the enthusiasm and success of last year’s activities, the campaign returns with a strong focus on ingredients, encouraging people of all ages to explore what goes into their food, where it comes from, how it is grown or harvested, and why it matters.
And that’s where you come in. Every chef, in every corner of the world, has something to teach. By sharing your knowledge, skills, and passion for food, you can help future chefs become curious, confident Food Explorers.
Get involved
To help you get started, visit worldchefs.org/internationalchefsday and download the 2026 Food Explorers Toolkit. The toolkit includes step-by-step workshop guides, user-friendly recipes using Nestlé Professional’s Hero Ingredients, posters, certificates, and more.
Use these resources to create an activity that works for your community, whether it is a short classroom moment, a hands-on cooking session, a garden visit, a sustainability activity, or a full-day celebration.
October 20 is the official day, but the whole month of October is yours to make it happen. Together, we can continue shaping a healthier, more sustainable future, one young chef at a time.
The International Chefs Day Committee is here to support you with ideas, resources, and inspiration. Thank you for helping children discover the world through food, health, sustainability, and the joy of cooking.
Let’s make 2026 another inspiring International Chefs Day for future chefs around the globe!
Warmest Culinary Regards, Vanessa Marquis CEC AAC, Chairman International Chefs Day Committee “Preparing future chefs for a Healthy Life!” internationalchefsday@worldchefs.org
Mark Your Calendars: International Chefs Day is October 20th!
Each year on October 20th, chefs around the globe come together to celebrate our profession and share our passion with the next generation. Since 2004, International Chefs Day, founded by the late Chef Dr. Bill Gallagher, has been a moment to give back, educate, and inspire.
On behalf of Worldchefs and Nestlé Professional, we’re excited to unveil this year’s theme: Food Explorers. This campaign invites children to embark on a culinary journey — discovering where food comes from, learning to prepare simple, healthy dishes, and cultivating curiosity, creativity, and a lasting appreciation for good food and sustainable practices.
Whether it’s a cooking workshop, a garden visit, or just a moment of food-filled fun, every experience counts. Through your leadership, you can help children explore healthy eating, sustainability, and the joy of cooking, one bite at a time.
To get started, visit worldchefs.org/internationalchefsday and download the 2025 Food Explorers Toolkit, packed with everything you need: step-by-step workshop guides, fun recipes using Nestlé Professional’s Hero Ingredients, posters, certificates, and more.
We encourage you to host a workshop on or around October 20th, but any day in October can be an opportunity to share knowledge and create a meaningful experience with kids in your community.
Together, let’s shape a healthier, more sustainable future, one young chef at a time. Be sure to share your photos and videos with us at internationalchefsday@worldchefs.org and tag your posts with:
We’re here to support you every step of the way. Thank you for your continued passion and dedication. Let’s make 2025 the biggest and most impactful International Chefs Day yet!
Culinary Regards, Vanessa Marquis CEC AAC, Chairman Worldchefs International Chefs Day Committee “Preparing Children for a Healthy Life”
What is the most inspiring aspect of International Chefs Day? What motivates you to get involved?
“For me, it’s about promoting our profession and sharing the joy and enthusiasm of cooking with children. International Chefs Day provides a meaningful opportunity to bring that passion to the world.”
How can chefs around the world get involved in this year’s International Chefs Day?
“Even small steps can lead to a big impact. Consider organizing a simple gesture to celebrate the day — something meaningful for your customers or team. For example, you could create a special item like “International Chefs Day” cupcakes and share a photo of your initiative. It’s a great way to participate, spread awareness, and inspire others to join in.”
Chef Tilak Senaratne of Sri Lanka
What is the most inspiring aspect of International Chefs Day? What motivates you to get involved?
“International Chefs Day unites chefs around the world to use their skills for a greater purpose—especially in educating and uplifting children through food.”
If you could describe International Chefs Day in one word, what word would you choose?
“Inspiring”
Chef Badya Khaireddin of Syria
How can chefs around the world get involved in this year’s International Chefs Day?
“Make an online workshop together and record videos and share it on social media for awareness!”
If you could describe International Chefs Day in one word, what word would you choose?
Shaping the Future of Food: Reflecting on Feed the Planet’s Impactin 2024-2025
Earlier this month, team members from Worldchefs, the Electrolux Food Foundation, AIESEC, and Griffith Foods gathered for Feed the Planet’s annual strategic meeting—a meaningful opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements and set the course for the future.
Reflecting on a Year of Impact
Since our last gathering, the initiative has continued to grow and evolve. As always, our collaboration has delivered impactful results. In under a year, we’ve reached significant milestones together.
Closing out 2024 on a high note, Feed the Planet was honored with second place in the prestigious LIFE Climate Smart Chefs Award 2023–24 for Best Non-Profit Initiative—recognition of our pioneering work in educating chefs and promoting sustainable food practices around the world.
Shonah Chalmers, Chair of Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet Committee
In early 2025, we welcomed Shonah Chalmers as the new Chair of the Feed the Planet Committee. A passionate advocate for sustainability and a dedicated culinary educator, Shonah has been part of the committee since 2016 and brings both experience and vision to the role.
“Each year, coming together with all our Feed the Planet partners is a powerful reminder of the impact we can achieve through collaboration. From empowering individuals with job-ready skills to reducing food waste and uplifting local communities, our shared commitment continues to grow stronger. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and energized for what lies ahead as we work together to reshape the future of food.”
Shonah Chalmers, Worldchefs Feed the Planet Committee Chairman
June was marked by two major milestones in collaboration and advocacy. First, Worldchefs joined forces with the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Initiative for Sustainable Gastronomy Week 2025. Chefs aged 18 to 39 were called to take the lead in championing sustainable sourcing, zero-waste practices, energy-efficient cooking, and climate-friendly ingredients during this global celebration. Meet the young chefs and restaurants making an impact in this year’s Sustainable Gastronomy Weekhere!
A special shoutout to Elisha Kesici, Richard Perez Kombo, and Jasper Jek from the Worldchefs Young Chefs Club for their inspiring participation!
Rewatch Sustainably Sourced: Science & Seafood, the official side-event of the United Nations Ocean Conference, which took place in Nice, France, from 9-13 June 2025.
A Legacy in the Making
The Feed the Planet program was founded by Worldchefs in 2012, and since we joined forces with the Electrolux Food Foundation and AIESEC in 2016, we have:
Changed over 1,600 lives through our Like a Chef training program across Sweden, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, St. Lucia and Argentina.
Inspired over 206,000 children to make better food choices for themselves and the planet through our Food Heroes educational workshop.
Reached over 200,000,0000 people across the globe to raise awareness around food sustainability
“It was inspiring to come together once again with our partners for the Feed the Planet meeting. Every time we connect, it reaffirms the strength of our shared commitment to use the power of food to drive positive change. This partnership with Worldchefs is more than a collaboration — it’s a growing movement, where chefs are not just cooking, but leading the way in education, sustainability, and social impact.”
Cosimo Scarano, Head of Electrolux Food Foundation
Get Involved with Feed the Planet
Why take action?
Every year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted while 795 million people are undernourished. Meanwhile, One of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the food sector. We must take action every day for a better future, and our plates are an important place to do it.
We have a lot of work to do, but don’t be discouraged. Be excited by the new discoveries, the forgotten joys, the inspiring power you wield as an individual, and the extraordinary potential of a community inspired.
How to take action?
🎓 Become a Sustainability Education Trainer Inspire the next generation of chefs! Share your knowledge and experience with culinary students and professionals. As an approved Trainer, you’ll gain full access to course materials and join a global network of sustainability leaders. 👉 Apply now
👩🍳 Host a Food Heroes Workshop Help children build healthy eating habits while learning how food choices impact the planet. The Food Heroes toolkit makes it easy with engaging activities, videos, workbooks, and certificates to reward young learners. 👉 Learn more
📘 Take the Sustainability Education Course Lead by example in your kitchen, school, or community. This free course will deepen your understanding of food systems and climate action—while boosting your credentials. 👉 Sign up for free
🌍 Attend a Webcast or Training Connect with global experts, gain insights on emerging issues, and learn practical solutions. 👉 Watch our webcasts
🤝 Join Your Local Chef Association’s Sustainability Movement Support community projects, collaborate with peers, and drive change where it matters most—locally.
🥦 Start a Zero Food Waste Campaign Whether at home, in the kitchen, or across your organization—track waste, reduce it, and educate others.
🌿 Promote Sustainable Sourcing Choose ingredients that are local, seasonal, and ethically sourced to support both people and the planet.
👧 Involve Youth Host school talks, cooking demos, or Food Heroes games to empower young minds to care about food and sustainability.
Mark Your Calendars: International Chefs Day is October 20th!
Over the years, Worldchefs has partnered with Nestlé Professional to inspire children worldwide to embrace healthy eating through engaging, fun-filled workshops. This year, we continue our commitment with the International Chefs Day campaign, themed Growing Great Chefs.
Teaching our children about the impact of food production and consumption on the environment is essential to ensuring a healthy life and planet for future generations. That’s why our focus for International Chefs Day remains on sustainability, environmental stewardship, growing gardens, and fostering healthy eating habits.
Together, we can make a difference!
Let’s give the children in our communities something to celebrate and enjoy with their friends. Join me and chefs from around the world on or around October 20th to host a fun and exciting event, or create a short video to share on social media. Every child can benefit from this experience, and now more than ever, it’s crucial to share the joy of learning about and enjoying healthy food!
To get started, visit www.worldchefs.org/internationalchefsday and download the toolkit and recipes. These resources will help you organize and launch your International Chefs Day 2024 Workshop. The toolkit includes everything you need, from instructions and materials to recipes, games, and tips for growing a garden. Remember, no workshop is too small or too large. Dedicate some time this October and share a special moment with children.
In 2004, the late Dr. Bill Gallagher established International Chefs Day to celebrate our profession and pass on our knowledge and culinary skills to the next generation. It is our legacy to inspire children to get excited about healthy food and our industry.
If you plan to host a Growing Great Chefs workshop, the entire International Chefs Day Committee is ready to support and guide you. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.
Vanessa Marquis, CEC, AAC, Chairman Worldchefs International Chefs Day Committee “Preparing Children for a Healthy Life!” internationalchefsday@worldchefs.org
Mark Your Calendars: International Chefs Day is October 20th!
Nestlé Professional and Worldchefs are delighted to unveil the theme for this year’s International Chefs Day campaign, titled “Growing Great Chefs.” In memory of the Late Chef Dr. Bill Galagher, a visionary in the culinary world, this campaign aims to share our noble profession with children around the globe, inspiring little ones and the new generation of aspiring chefs.
International Chefs Day, celebrated on October 20th each year, brings together culinary professionals worldwide to promote the art and science of cooking. This year’s theme, “Growing Great Chefs,” provides a passion for mentoring young minds and nurturing culinary talent.
The campaign’s focus is to introduce children to the joys of cooking and the world of gastronomy through an array of engaging activities and educational resources. Nestlé Professional and Worldchefs have collaborated to create a comprehensive toolkit packed with innovative recipes, an interactive game, and a fun-filled approach to starting a garden.
The key to fostering culinary excellence lies in providing children with early exposure to the art of cooking. Through ‘Growing Great Chefs,’ we aim to ignite the imaginations of children, encouraging them to explore the wonderful world of flavors, textures, and cultures found in culinary arts.
The toolkit provided by Nestlé Professional and Worldchefs offers accessible and enjoyable ways to help children understand the intricacies of cooking. It includes recipes tailored for children, highlighting simple yet delicious dishes from various cultures. The matching game is designed to make learning about ingredients an exciting adventure.
Furthermore, the campaign emphasizes sustainability and responsible food practices by incorporating a gardening component. Children will learn about growing their ingredients, understanding the value of fresh produce, and connecting with nature through planting and nurturing their very own gardens.
Nurturing the culinary passions of young minds is a truly rewarding experience. We are proud to honor the legacy of the Late Dr. Chef Bill Galagher through this campaign, bringing joy and knowledge to children worldwide and fostering the development of future great chefs.
The “Growing Great Chefs” campaign promises to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for cooking among children from all walks of life. By sharing the joys of the culinary profession, Nestlé Professional and Worldchefs hope to leave a lasting impact on young hearts, nurturing the potential of future culinary leaders.
Being a chef can be a hectic life. However, even spending just 5 minutes or 2 hours with your child, a student, or another child in your community can make a positive impact. If you are busy on October 20th, consider taking some time on any other day in October to connect with them.
Please share with us your fun moments, workshop experiences, or the beginning of your garden by sending us your pictures and/or videos via email. Don’t forget to use the hashtags below. Join me and thousands of chefs in October by Preparing Children for a Healthy Life!
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