Categories
World Competition Partnership News Press Releases Industry Trends

Taking Cuisine Out of this World: NASA and Worldchefs Announce New Partnership

Empowering young chefs to bring gastronomy to space exploration, Worldchefs and NASA’s Hunch program partner on the 2023 Astronaut Culinary Challenge.

Paris, 10 of November 2023 – NASA’s HUNCH program and Worldchefs have announced an exciting collaboration that gives new meaning to haute cuisine. Their partnership empowers young chefs to pioneer space-ready culinary innovations through the Astronaut Culinary Challenge.

As part of HUNCH’s culinary initiative, the Astronaut Culinary Challenge nurtures skill development and the creation of space-friendly cuisine for astronauts. Each year, culinary teams from over 30 schools craft innovative dishes based on a central theme, bringing gastronomy to space exploration.

NASA HUNCH
culinary students
space challenge

The HUNCH program’s mission is to inspire students through project-based, student-centric STEM learning. Participants acquire 21st-century skills and gain career-launching experiences by designing and fabricating valuable products for NASA.

Phoebus High School students prepare their dish for judging at the 2020 HUNCH Culinary Challenge at NASA Langley. Credit: NASA

Students learn about space physiology, how nutritional needs change for a body in a microgravity environment, and what to consider when food processing for space flight. Competitors then develop an entree to satisfy the nutrition needs and provide a taste experience for astronauts, ensuring that their creations adhere to the exacting standards of the NASA Johnson Space Center Food Laboratory.

The 2023 Astronaut Culinary Challenge theme is a savory breakfast item that includes a vegetable, with set nutritional guidelines including calories, fats, sodium, and fiber to ensure that astronauts launch into their day with optimal nutrition.

A preliminary round of competition will be held the first week of March, 2024. Teams who advance in the preliminary round will be invited to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for the competition final in April, where their work will be judged by Food Laboratory personnel, industry professionals, the ISS program office, and astronauts for quality, taste, and their research presented in technical paper and video presentation. The winning entree will be processed by the Johnson Space Center Food Lab and sent to the International Space Station for astronauts to savor.

“We are very happy to announce our extraordinary partnership with NASA’s HUNCH program. Together, we can empower young chefs to take their culinary talents beyond our planet’s boundaries, pioneering innovative, space-ready cuisine,” says Thomas A. Gugler, President of Worldchefs. “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to raising industry standards and inspiring the next generation of chefs to build skills for the future. One small step for chefs, one giant leap for gastronomy!”

Winners of the Astronaut Culinary Challenge will be honored at Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2024 in Singapore.


For more information on the HUNCH program, visit nasahunch.com/programs/culinary. For more on the competition guidelines of the Astronaut Culinary Challenge and how to get involved, visit the competition website.

Founded in 1928, the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) represents the largest international membership of food and beverage professionals dedicated to raising industry standards.
With over 240 member national chef associations, educational institutions, and F&B companies, Worldchefs is the global voice of culinary professionals.

Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Cover image:
High School Students Look to Improve Astronauts’ Palates, Workspaces via HUNCH Program. Credit: NASA

– END –


Categories
Partnership News Press Releases Industry Trends National Country World Competition

2024 Gelato World Cup Introduces New Format and Worldchefs Partnership

Making the world of gelato even sweeter, the 2024 Gelato World Cup introduces new format and Worldchefs partnership, with culinary excellence and global camaraderie set to take center stage in 2024.
  • The Gelato World Cup and the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) have formed a collaborative partnership, with the 10th Gelato World Cup set to take place in January 2024 in Rimini, Italy.
  • The 2024 Gelato World Cup will feature teams from five continents competing in various gastronomic trials, fostering culinary excellence and international camaraderie.
  • Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Paris, 2 of October 2023 – The Gelato World Cup, the world’s benchmark event for artisan gelato, and the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) have announced a new collaborative partnership. The 10th Gelato World Cup, also known as Coppa del Mondo della Gelateria, will be held as part of SIGEP – International Exhibition of Artisan Gelato, Confectionery, and Bakery, The Dolce World Expo, at the Rimini Exhibition Centre from January 20 to 24 2024.

Since its inception in 2003, this biennial competition has consistently been a highlight of SIGEP, eagerly anticipated by gelato artisans, pastry chefs, and ice sculptors from across the globe. At the core of this prestigious competition are the principles of integrity, professionalism, and fairness, which extend to all nations participating. The event enjoys the invaluable support of a World Committee of Honour, comprised of some of the world’s most eminent gelato experts. It is organized collaboratively by SIGEP – Italian Exhibition Group Spa and Gelato e Cultura s.r.l.

Breaking new ground, the 2024 Gelato World Cup introduces a new format with teams representing five continents engaging in a demanding gastronomic challenge. After intense national and continental trials, the crème de la crème from each continent will converge in Rimini to compete in five distinct trials: Gelato, Pastry and Chocolate Making, Ice Sculpture, and Haute Cuisine.

Leading up to the main event in January 2024, countries around the world will host their own national selections, contributing to the anticipation and excitement. European contestants will vie for their place in the competition during the European selection rounds in 2023.

“We are proud to enter into this exciting collaboration with the Gelato World Cup, an event that provides such a great opportunity for competition excellence and international camaraderie,” says Ragnar Fridriksson, Worldchefs Managing Director. “We share a common commitment to enhancing the excellence of global cuisines and providing opportunities for culinary professionals in all sectors. We look forward to January 2024!”

Stay tuned for more from the 2024 Gelato World Cup, where culinary excellence takes center stage in a truly international showcase of talent and innovation.

Visit www.gelatoworldcup.com for more information.

Founded in 1928, the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) represents the largest international membership of food and beverage professionals dedicated to raising industry standards.
With over 240 member national chef associations, educational institutions, and F&B companies, Worldchefs is the global voice of culinary professionals.

Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

– END –


Categories
Partnership

Elevating Culinary Excellence: Alto-Shaam’s Partnership with Worldchefs Spurs Innovation

Elevating culinary ventures around the globe, Alto-Shaam joins forces with the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) for innovation and excellence.
  • Alto-Shaam, the world-class provider of innovative and dependable foodservice kitchen solutions, has joined the largest culinary trade association as a Worldchefs Global Partner.
  • Servicing 90+ countries with award-winning USA-brand equipment, Alto-Shaam has driven confidence and innovation in foodservice through intuitive, dependable designs and investments in advanced technologies, amplifying returns on investment for culinary professionals.
  • Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Paris, 17 of August 2023 – Leading foodservice equipment brand Alto-Shaam and the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) have announced a new global partnership

Alto-Shaam

This partnership will cultivate growth and innovative approaches for the chef community, sharing Alto-Shaam’s wealth of educational and informative content.

Since 1955, Alto-Shaam has pioneered innovative foodservice kitchen solutions, fostering operational confidence among its customers. Alto-Shaam’s dedication empowers culinary professionals to embrace creativity, opening avenues for profitable growth. The brand’s designs are distinguished by intuitive efficiency and reliability, amplifying returns on investment while elevating culinary offerings.

“We are proud to welcome Alto-Shaam, a longstanding industry ally, to our global network,” says Ragnar Fridriksson, Worldchefs Managing Director. “Alto-Shaam’s comprehensive suite of commercial kitchen equipment solutions is tailored to the specific needs of professional kitchens, helping to propel businesses forward. Backed by world-class service, training, and support, Alto-Shaam’s reliable products consistently deliver. That’s why they are a natural fit as a Worldchefs Trusted Brand.”

Alto-Shaam aims to provide customers with a partnership that feels like family. This goal is underscored by a suite of cutting-edge kitchen solutions and prioritized customer support. From seamless installation to comprehensive training, Alto-Shaam is positioned to meet the unique and shifting needs that culinary professionals require. The brand engineers commercial foodservice equipment with dependability to unlock creative and fiscal potential, from high-volume food production to small space operations. Alto-Shaam’s diverse range of solutions ensures impeccable food preparation, holding, chilling, and display, setting the stage for a thriving foodservice operation.

Most recently, Alto-Shaam will be releasing webinars detailing informative and fresh opportunities for the chef community.

Situated in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Alto-Shaam’s headquarters and manufacturing hub drive the production of USA-made foodservice equipment solutions distributed across more than 90 countries. Ongoing investments in cutting-edge technologies like robotics and automation highlight Alto-Shaam’s dedication to achieving excellence within the foodservice industry.

Alto-Shaam’s dedication to customer satisfaction has earned consistent industry recognition. The brand earns accolades for its quality, design, and innovation, validating Alto-Shaam’s journey as a manufacturer and industry trailblazer, celebrated for exceptional contributions to the foodservice sector.

Visit www.alto-shaam.com for more information on their products.

Founded in 1928, the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) represents the largest international membership of food and beverage professionals dedicated to raising industry standards.
With over 240 member national chef associations, educational institutions, and F&B companies, Worldchefs is the global voice of culinary professionals.

Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

– END –


Categories
Partnership

Pioneering the Future of Flavor: Griffith Foods and Worldchefs Renew Partnership 

Pioneering the Future of Flavor: Griffith Foods and Worldchefs Renew Partnership 

  • Griffith Foods has renewed as a Worldchefs Global Partner. As a family business for more than 100 years, Griffith Foods is known for their industry expertise, comprehensive global insights, collaborative partnerships, and purpose-driven passion. With an aim to shape the future of food, Griffith Foods is a key supporter of Feed the Planet sustainability initiatives to equip chefs with the flavors and tools to set a better course for the future. 
  • Custom Culinary, a business entity of Griffith Foods, offers products that are developed with a team of award-winning chefs, delivering culinary expertise to innovative flavor research with purpose. They offer culinary versatility in convenient formats, delivering authentic flavor and creating better food, value, and relationships to the industry.
  • Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Paris, 3 of July 2023 – Griffith Foods, a world-class family-owned global developer and manufacturer of customized food ingredient solutions, has renewed as a Worldchefs Global Partner. Founded in 1919, Griffith Foods is guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and breading, to marinades and sauces blended to exacting specification that are culturally authentic, taste great and are wholesome.

Throughout their 70-year history, Custom Culinary, part of the Griffith Foods family, has maintained a singular mission: to provide foodservice and food processing professionals with true, real, and authentic flavor solutions. Today, Custom Culinary’s solution-driven approach offers culinary versatility in convenient formats, delivering a portfolio of products made with the finest ingredients to ensure exceptional flavor and dependable performance to save time and improve consistency.

A culinary-centric organization, Custom Culinary products are developed with a team of award-winning chefs, bringing culinary expertise and an appreciation for global and regional influences, local sourcing, and cleaner ingredient statements to the table. Combining food science, technology, and the culinary arts, Custom Culinary draws on emerging trends and culinary insights from across their global network to create customized solutions the industry.

Key supporters and collaborators of Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet programs, Griffith Foods and Custom Culinary understand their critical role in addressing food waste and sustainability, working across the food ecosystem to deliver on the company’s sustainability journey and commitments. Leveraging the passion of their dynamic teams, the teams weave culinary inspiration, a focus on nutrition, and a sustainable mindset into each product to support culinary professionals and nourish the world. 

“Custom Culinary has been a natural partner for Worldchefs in their commitment to helping culinary professionals perfect the art of flavorful food with purpose,” says Ragnar Fridriksson, Worldchefs Managing Director. “Their support of Feed the Planet programs, culinary competitions, and their understanding of industry and consumer trends all reflect the dedication of their global team to building a better food future. We are delighted to continue our partnership and look forward to what is to come.”

Visit https://griffithfoods.com/ and www.customculinary.global for industry resources and more information on their product portfolio.

Learn more about Worldchefs partnership opportunities at www.worldchefs.org/partnership.

Categories
Member News

Record 1400 burgers made in a day as Chefs Association of Pakistan & COTHM celebrate International Burger Day

Record 1400 burgers made in a day as Chefs Association of Pakistan & COTHM celebrate International Burger Day

 The Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP), in partnership with the College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM), hosted a delightful celebration in honor of International Burger Day on Monday, May 29th, 2023. The event took place at the beautiful COTHM campus in Lahore, featuring a wide variety of innovative and delicious burgers that pleased food enthusiasts from all walks of life.

International Burger Day, organized by CAP, aimed to celebrate the beloved culinary delight’s versatility and universal appeal. From classic beef patties to vegetarian and vegan options, the event showcased a diverse range of burger variations to satisfy every palate. The talented young chefs showcased their creativity by reimagining traditional recipes and introducing unique twists, offering attendees an extraordinary dining experience.

Over 1,400 burgers were prepared by the chefs and generously distributed to orphanages and those in need throughout Lahore. The Burger Day celebrations were a resounding success, leaving attendees with unforgettable culinary experiences and a craving for more delectable creations. With its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, CAP continues to establish itself as a culinary powerhouse, delighting food enthusiasts and setting new benchmarks in Pakistan.


ABOUT THE CHEFS’ ASSOCIATION OF PAKISTAN

The Chefs’ Association of Pakistan (CAP), founded in 2006, is an apolitical and nonprofit organization. CAP is a proud member of Worldchefs – the global authority on food. It is the only national association of Pakistan, which is internationally recognized. 

It represents finest chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, food & beverage companies, culinarians, educators, learners and other stakeholders of Pakistan’s hospitality, culinary, travel and tourism industry.

BECOME A WORLDCHEFS MEMBER

Worldchefs represetns the global voice of culinary professionals, our memberships represents over 100 national chef associations and millions chefs worldwide.

You can find a list of Worldchefs members countries here.

Categories
Member News

Pakistan International Culinary Championship 2023 Becomes the Biggest Ever Culinary Championship of Pakistan

PICC 2023 Becomes the Biggest Ever Culinary Championship of Pakistan

Pakistan – 7 April 2023 – The Chefs’ Association of Pakistan (CAP) with the endorsement of Worldchefs, and the strategic partnership of College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM), arranged the 5th season of Pakistan International Culinary Championship (PICC) 2023 on 14-26 March 2023 at the Royal Palm Golf & Country Club. With the participation of thousands of professional chefs not only from Pakistan, but also from abroad, PICC 2023 turned out to be the biggest-ever culinary championship of Pakistan.

Professional chefs from around 100 local hotels, restaurants, cafes, catering companies, and more participated in the culinary competition in different categories. International chefs from Worldchefs’ National Member Associations not only competed for the title of ‘Best International Chef,’ but also performed the duties of judges for all the professional competitions. Besides the active participation of international culinary teams, National Culinary Team of Pakistan (NCTP), National Women Culinary Team of Pakistan (NWCTP), and Young Chefs Team of Pakistan (YCTP) in different cooking competitions, the championship also featured amazing food displays, fun eating competitions, Worldchefs Competition Seminar, and many other exciting activities.

Young chefs from different mainstream schools, colleges, universities and culinary colleges also competed in different categories. A large number of professional and young chefs joined the event from Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Kasur, Okara, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan. 

The event was presented by Coca Cola as platinum sponsor, powered by KnN’s and Cheezious Pakistan as gold sponsors, while Unilever Food Solutions, Shangrila Foods, Young’s Food, Gobi’s Paints and Ambassador Commercial Kitchen Equipment sponsored the event as silver sponsors. Realite Organic Farms joined the event as ‘Vegetable Partner’, Gobi’s Paints as ‘Décor Partner’ while The Rich Hotel & Apartments acted as ‘Hospitality Partner’. 

Originations like Lahore Restaurant Association (LRA), Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Punjab Food Authority (PFA), Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA), and Discover Pakistan TV Channel supported the event as strategic partners. Discover Pakistan did exclusive shows on PICC 2023 during all three days of the event.

Dignitaries from different walks of life joined the event on all the three days and admired the job done by CAP and COTHM. Former Punjab governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Member National Assembly Shaista Pervaiz Malik, PTDC Director General (DG) Aftab ur Rehman Rana, senior journalist Sohail Warraich, WCLA Director General (DG) Kamran Lashari, Coca Cola Government Affairs Head Dr Faisal Hashmi and many other senior officials from different private and public sector departments joined the event as guests of honour. Famous singer Adeel Barki also attended the event and performed on stage for the amusement of the chefs’ community.

The ‘Nations Parade’ was a distinct feature of PICC 2023, in which chefs from different countries of the world participated and marched from the entrance of the venue towards the competitions arena. The parade was held on all the three days and not only international personalities but also local chefs, socialites, celebrities and other important personalities participated in that. Marching band and a group of students with international flags in their hands led the parade followed by all the guests and participants and had a round of arena. The international guests appreciated the spirit of Pakistani chefs and admired the services of Chefs’ Association of Pakistan (CAP) for the chefs’ community of Pakistan.

Coca Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan Vice President & General Manager Fahad Ashraf, Cheezious Pakistan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Imran Ijaz, K&N’s Foods (Pvt) Limited Chief of Multinational & Central Sales Syed Mughees A. Pirzada, Shangrila Foods Brand Manager Shahbaz Ali, Young’s Food Business Development Manager (Lahore) Faizan Khan, Unilever Food Solutions Marketing Lead Umar Waqar, Gobi’s Paints Brand Manager Hamza Hashmi visited and spent time at the venue along with their teams. They all were also awarded with exclusive souvenirs in recognition of their invaluable support for PICC 2023.

Competitions were held all the three days at Royal Palm’s Silver Bell Marquee from 10AM to 8PM and around 3000 chefs competed in almost 17 different cooking categories. Professional chefs from various big brands of Pakistan competed for the titles of ‘Best Cuisiner of Pakistan’, ‘Best Pastry Chef of Pakistan’, ‘Best Chef Pakistani Cuisine’, ‘Best Carving Artist of Pakistan’, and ‘Best Four Course Gourmet Team of Pakistan’. International chefs from different countries competed for the title of ‘Best Cuisiner International’. National Culinary Team of Pakistan (NCTP) Captain Chef Raees supervised all the competitions while ensuring transparency and impartiality throughout the event.

A wonderful team of local and international chefs comprised the jury of PICC 2023. Under the headship of Chef Majeed Alsabagh (Head of Jury) from Syria and Waqar Ilyas Khan (Chief Coordinator-PICC 2023, Coach-NCTP, SVP-CAP), Chef Muhammad Raees (Pakistan/USA), Chef Manzoor Hassan Balghari (UAE), Chef Rima Zaid (USA), Chef Amer Rabah (Iran), Chef Domenico Maggi (Italy) and Chef Tauseef Butt (Pakistan) performed the duties as senior judges while Chef Usama Asghar, Chef Tipu Imran, Chef Muhammad Razzaq, Chef Sadaqat Sohail, Chef Shumaila Zafar, Chef Rizwan ul Haq, Chef Jahangir Hussain, Chef Asif Butt, Chef Hassan Arshad, Chef Faiza Iqbal, Chef Sher Ali and Chef Nawaz performed the duties as judges. 

Chef Shamoon Barkat from Café Aylanto won the title of ‘Best Cuisiner of Pakistan’, Chef Muniza Khalid from COTHM Karachi grabbed the title of ‘Best Chef Pakistani Cuisine’, Chef Asad Malik from Cakes & Bakes took the title of ‘Best Carving Artist’, Chef Kahadam Hussain from English Tea House won the title of ‘Best Pastry Chef of Pakistan’, while the team of Chef Rizwan Abbasi, Chef Umer Chaudhary and Chef Muhammad Waqas from Pearl Continental Bhurban won the title of ‘Best Four Course Gourmet Team’. Other than the main titles, a large number of chefs also won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in different categories. To appreciate the chefs on their participation in the competitions, all the chefs were also awarded with participation certificates.


APPLY FOR A WORLDCHEFS ENDORSEMENT
Take your competition to the next level with Worldchefs competition endorsement, a prestigious recognition, achieved by competitions that meet the highest standards of quality. This endorsement provides exceptional opportunities for visibility to an audience of culinary professionals.


Benefits include:

  • Tap into a global community of chefs for greater networking and business opportunities.
  • Unlock new possibilities with optional digital badging and event competition software.
  • Gain free of charge digital badges for competitors and winners with co-branding opportunities.
  • Gain access to downloadable evaluation and scoring sheets on Worldchefs website.

Learn more and apply to endorse your competition: https://worldchefs.org/Endorsement/

Categories
Member News

Hundreds of new members join Chefs Association of Pakistan 

The Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP) recently opened its membership resulting in the joining of a large number of new members.

To welcome the new members of CAP, multiple ceremonies were organized where membership certificates were distributed among them. CAP Senior Vice President Corporate Waqar Ilyas, CAP Secretary General Ahmad Shafiq and the executive members graced the ceremonies.  Waqar Ilyas informed the members about the scope and importance of CAP. Ahmad Shafiq welcomed the new members and provided career guidance to the young members. 

He said that Chefs Association of Pakistan is the only representative organization of chefs in the country which is also a member of World Chefs Paris; a global authority on food. By becoming a member of CAP, chefs can avail multiple local as well as international opportunities, he added. 

New members of CAP were quite excited to join the esteemed platform of chefs in Pakistan. They were of the view that after getting associated with CAP, they will try to come up to the expectations of CAP and Worldchefs, Paris.

–END –

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:

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 Hospitality Certification recognizing on-the-job skills in 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;

Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.

For more information about Worldchefs, visit us at www.worldchefs.org.

For press and media inquiries
[email protected]

What are you looking for?

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors