Support those affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires by donating to the American Culinary Federation’s Disaster Relief Fund (ACFEF).
The recent California wildfires have caused devastating destruction, leaving families displaced, homes destroyed, and communities in turmoil.
Worldchefs and World Chefs Without Borders are calling on our global culinary family to join us in aiding relief efforts. We encourage donations’s to the Disaster Relief Fund of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). This fund provides direct assistance to individuals and communities impacted by natural disasters, ensuring vital resources reach those who need them most.
How You Can Help Your contribution can make a significant difference. Join us in supporting relief efforts by donating via the ACF Disaster Relief page:
Together, we can stand in solidarity with the victims of the LA wildfires, offering hope and support in their time of need. Every contribution counts and brings us closer to helping affected communities rebuild and recover.
Many organizations are mobilized to enter disaster areas and provide on site support. We encourage you to donate to your charity of choice. Two possibilities to consider are: American Red Cross and Mercy Chefs.
Please find the original press release from Gelato World Cup here.
Germany, France, Italy and Belgium are qualified for the Gelato World Cup 2026
Rimini – Selected the 4 finalists of the Gelato Europe Cup that qualified for the world final in January 2026.
First Germany, Second France, third Italy and Fourth Belgium are the winners of the Gelato Europe Cup and will attend the 11th edition of the Gelato World Cup at Sigep World in January 2026.
Each team has brought a different theme, in order: Amazzonia (Germany), Haute Couture (France), Luna Park (Italy) and Moon (Belgium).
Organised By SIGEP World and Gelato e Cultura srl, the competition selects the best European gelato and pastry teams to participate in the 11th Gelato World Cup, the world’s most important international team competition dedicated to the sector, scheduled to take place at SIGEP 2026.
These will be joined by the 3 teams selected last October at the Gelato Asia Cup (Japan, Singapore, South Korea) and another 5 who will be selected respectively 1 at the Gelato China Cup at Sigep China from 24 to 26 April 2025 and 4 at the Gelato America Cup at FITHEP Buenos Aires from 9 to 12 June 2025.
The European semi finals just concluded at Sigep included 6 competition rounds: ‘Upcycled gelato’ tub, Gelato cake, Single portion in Glass Cup, Cream Mystery box, Fruit Mystery box and Gelato sticks.
8 the official teams participated to the Gelato Europe Cup 2025. Each team consisting of 2 (two) competitors with skills in Gelato and Pastry-Chocolate, and a Team Manager: Italy lead by Alessandro Racca, with Gabriele Fiumara and Angelo Cardella, Germany lead by Stefano Lucchini, with Federico Sacchet and Tiziano Santin, Albania lead by Rosilda Collaku replaced by Irdi Cuka, with Dejvi Hajderaj Kevin Boseta Poland lead by Aleksander Pitura, with Michal Molenda Anna and Siwiec Kaczmarczyk, UK lead by Taseer Ahmad, with Massimiliano Porta and Daniel Schevenels, France lead by Dartois Herve, Allan Cartignies and Enzo Babtista, Romania lead by Oana Gabriela Nita with Vladimir Andrei Dascalu and Morar Cornel Constantin and Belgium lead by Fabio Marasti with Maryne Poppe and Jose Romero.
Each team has been judged from 2 juries: The ‘Artistic’ jury with all the Team Managers to assess the decorative and aesthetic aspect of the tests, The ‘Technical’jury, made up of 3 international WORLDCHEFS professional judges, to evaluatè all taste-related aspects of all entries, Carlo Sauber, Sebastian Petterson and Ljubika Komlenic. The ‘Press’ jury, made up of food and wine journalists, judging only the new important test that will be included also next year in the Gelato World Cup: “Upcycled Gelato” tab test, a challenge designed to transform waste ingredients into authentic creations of excellence. Federica Serva PuntoIT, Alexie Valois La Toque Magazin, Bernard Badarida TF1, Martina Kirchner Kabel Eins, Chiara Mancusi Pasticceria Internazionale, Mara Cella Forbes and Luxury files magazine, Lorenzo Cresci Il Gusto, Carlo Antonio Gentile RAI, Led by the director of the newspaper “Il Gusto” Eleonora Cozzella, awarded in order Italy, France and Belgium.
Supervising the project is the CONTROL COMMITTEE in which each member has a vote in the event of disputes, and the GUARANTORS, who have supervisory functions in relation to the competitors during the competition and also coordinate the teams in their dealings with the jury. 3 Italian: Marco Venturino – Cinzia Otri – Antonio Morgese and 2 international: Marco Miquel Sirvent – Emanule Ryon, led by Sergio Dondoli known guarantor from the organisational committee.
The Gelato Europe Cupis an event that celebrates artisanal excellence, preparing the ground for the biennial appointment of the Gelato World Cup, a historic and culminating event where 12 teams from around the world will compete for the world title in January 2026 at Sigep in Rimini. Only four teams from the Gelato Europe Cup semi-final will enter the prestigious international competition next January.
The Gelato Europe Cup is supported by the sponsors: Anselmi, Babbi, Electrolux e Valrhona platinum sponsor.
Adamance e Carpigiani golden sponsor.
Silver sponsor sono Frascheri, Medac e Team System; sponsor tecnici Ico Cialde, IFI, Karel, Paperlynen, Reire, Sara Creazioni, Selmi, Sosa, Caffé Toraldo, Aia, Lauretana, Naonix.
Mistery sponsor, featured in the mistery box test, will be Anselmi, Frascheri, Babbi e Norohy.
Media Partners: PuntoIT di Editrade and Pasticceria Internazionale.
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.
From January 6th to 12th, 2025, the Worldchefs Asia Presidents Forum was held in New Delhi, India alongside the Indus Food Exhibition. The event united representatives from 21 countries across Asia, serving as an invaluable opportunity to strategize for 2025 and 2026. Read the full report below from Willment Leong, Worldchefs Continental Director for Asia:
On behalf of Worldchefs and the Continental Director for Asia, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the India Federation of Chefs Association (IFCA) and the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) for hosting the Worldchefs Asia Presidents Forum 2025 in the vibrant city of New Delhi, India, from January 6th to 12th, 2025, alongside the Indus Food Exhibition 2025.
During this week, representatives from 21 countries across Asia united, driven by our shared passion for culinary excellence and our steadfast commitment to advancing our industry. Your dedication to your craft and communities is truly inspiring and encapsulates the spirit of this esteemed forum.
I would also like to commend the Indian Federation of Culinary Association (IFCA) for their tremendous efforts in making this extraordinary event possible. Your hard work has created an exceptional platform for joyful exchange, innovative collaboration, and the exploration of new ideas.
The Asia Presidents Forum convened on January 9, 2025, gathering representatives from 15 countries, along with an additional 6 participants joining us online. This meeting proved invaluable for discussing common challenges and strategizing actionable steps for 2025 and 2026.
We must also acknowledge the contributions of Worldchefs President Andy Cuthbert, who participated virtually and greatly enriched our discussions. Working closely with Vice Continental Director for Asia, KK Kong, we achieved significant outcomes and reaffirmed our collective commitment to fostering collaboration within the Worldchefs Asia family. Thank you once again to all the presidents for your enthusiasm and active participation. Together, we are poised to shape a bright future for our culinary community in Asia.
During our time in New Delhi, we had the privilege of visiting the remarkable arrangements made for the Worldchefs Asia presidents at the iconic Taj Mahal and the National Museum of India, which provided profound insights into the rich cultural tapestry of this incredible nation. We also explored the stunning Akshardham Temple, a true masterpiece of architecture and spiritual significance.
Our lunch at ITC Bukhara, a celebrated restaurant known for maintaining its original menu for many years, was a delightful experience. The farewell dinner at the esteemed Shangri-La Eros allowed us to once again express our deepest appreciation to IFCA, TPCI, and Sanjay from Sun Sand Tour for their impeccable coordination and unwavering support, which made the Asia Presidents Forum 2025 a remarkable success.
Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Chef Manjit Singh Gill, Mr. Sandip Das, Mr. Himanshu Barola, Chef Vijaya Baskaran, Ms. Meera, and everyone working behind the scenes who contributed to the success of this forum. Your efforts have truly made a difference. Well-done!
Restaurants come in different shapes and sizes, and their needs can vary greatly depending on the type of food they offer. However, there is one cooking solution that can meet all these different needs: the combi oven. The best kitchens are highly efficient, saving space, time, labor, and energy by using the most efficient tools to their fullest potential. Regardless of the type of kitchen, a combi oven is one of the best pieces of equipment a kitchen can acquire. It ensures that the kitchen achieves the desired level of efficiency while reducing costs. In this article, we will examine the many benefits of a combi oven, including its ability to save space and time, as well as its versatility and range of functions.
The combi oven: a life saver
The combi oven offers several benefits that make it an essential piece of equipment in any commercial kitchen.
1. Space saver
First, the combi oven is a space saver, as it can perform various cooking modes and tasks with one single piece of equipment, thus saving valuable kitchen space.
2. Time saver
Secondly, the combi oven is a time saver, as it can heat and cook food much quicker than a traditional oven, allowing restaurant staff to maintain a fast-paced environment and save valuable time.
3. Labor saver
Additionally, a good combi oven can cover multiple cooking functions, freeing up a chef’s time to work on other tasks. This way, the combi oven proves to be a labor saver, equipped with a multi-timer function that allows operators to manage multiple cooking cycles simultaneously, freeing them up to attend to other kitchen tasks.
The combi oven is an efficient and versatile piece of equipment that can save time, labor, and space, and is therefore essential in any commercial kitchen.
Are combi ovens energy efficient?
When it comes to energy efficiency, Electrolux Professional’s Combi Oven, SkyLine PremiumS, is designed to minimize heat loss and reduce energy consumption.
The new OptiFlowfunction included in the line guarantees uniform heat distribution and constant humidity and temperature within the cooking chamber. The Lambda sensor provides ultra-precise, real-time humidity control across 101 different settings, ensuring excellent cookingevenness throughout the whole oven chamber and preserving the food’s quality and flavor.
In addition, the SkyLine Combi Oven features the new Plan-n-Save feature, which applies artificial intelligence to optimize the cooking order and minimize energy usage. This feature helps save energy by reducing the time required to preheat the oven and by optimizing cooking times for multiple dishes. The combi oven’s energy-saving capabilities make it an eco-friendly option that can help reduce energy consumption in commercial kitchens.
The price you pay
The cost of equipment is a crucial factor in deciding whether to acquire a combi oven for a professional kitchen. However, the initial investment does not necessarily reflect the full cycle cost of the oven. A high-quality combi oven, such as the SkyLine PremiumS, can really help reduce energy and cleaning costs. With state-of-the-art technology, such as the OptiFlow function, the oven minimizes heat loss and ensures even cooking, reducing the amount of energy needed. Additionally, the flexible cleaning technology of the SkyLine PremiumS reduces cleaning time and costs. In the long run, investing in a great combi oven can be a cost-effective solution for kitchens looking to minimize their expenditure.
As a global federation of chef associations, we at Worldchefs recognize the growing role of technology, and notably AI, in our industry. To help you make the most of technology and its advancements, we invite you to explore the following resources:
1. AI in Culinary Innovation 💡
At the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024, Belinda Moore gave an informative presentation on artificial intelligence. Here are some resources from her session:
Handy AI Tools – Belinda shares a list of AI tools for associations to streamline workflows, boost productivity and enhance outcomes.
SMS Blog – This link contains a history of the Strategic Membership Solutions newsletters, providing insights for associations on a range of technological topics.
2. Boardroom Magazine Technology Issue 2024 ⭐
As part of the exclusive partnership between the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE) and Boardroom Magazine, we are pleased to share Worldchefs’ digital transformation experience, from Boardroom’s technology issue.
In the article, you’ll find: 1. A strategy on how you can implement technology to drive success 2. A case study on Worldchefs’ digital transformation with specific tips & tools
Click the button below to read the article, and don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
Paris, 13 January 2025 – City & Guilds and Worldchefs formed a partnership 10 years ago to create Worldchefs Global Certification, the first and only global certification for the culinary industry in the world.
The certification sets out progression routes for chefs and culinary educators, recognising skills and experience gained while working in the industry.
The partnership has gone from strength to strength over the last decade, trailblazing several innovations including the introduction of digital credentials which is fast becoming the standard in certifying skills.
The project has now reached its final milestone as Worldchefs has successfully integrated the certification across their education initiatives and will now manage all aspects of the programme.
In a statement about the certification, Ragnar Fridriksson, Managing Director from Worldchefs said:
‘When we started our collaboration with City & Guilds, we had a simple and clear goal in mind: We wanted to enable chefs, no matter where they are around the world, to get recognition for their skills so that they can further their career. It was critical for us to build credibility and trust behind the certification which is why we choose to work with City & Guilds as our certification partner. We are delighted that we now have the full infrastructure in place to take the certification to the next level.’
Andy Moss, Chief Customer Officer at City & Guilds, added:
‘The ambition behind the partnership has always been to support Worldchefs in building out their own quality assurance and certification capabilities so that they can help the industry address the critical shortage of chefs and ensure that there is a continuous pipeline of skilled talent coming into the sector.
We remain fully committed to supporting employers in hospitality with their upskilling challenges through our skills consultancy offer and look forward to exploring new ways of collaborating with Worldchefs as both organisations continue to promote and champion the importance of investing in skills and training.’
– END –
Ready to get certified?
Worldchefs Global Culinary Certification is a prestigious skills recognition framework designed for culinary professionals around the world. Created with leading employers, this framework validates individuals’ culinary skills, knowledge, and experience against a global benchmark.
By making real-life workplace skills visible, measurable, and global, Worldchefs Global Culinary Certification empowers individuals to showcase their culinary competency, stand out in the job market, and accelerate their careers.
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 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;
Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.
In this issue of Gulf Gourmet’s magazine, read about food styling and communicating through food, get inspired by Chef Rohit Manek’s determination to reach his dreams, and more!
Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP), in collaboration with College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM), hosted a special visit from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) delegation, led by President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Khalid Usman, and Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry. The event took place at COTHM’s Head Office in New Garden Town, Lahore, where CAP organized a Youth Skills Showcasing to highlight the skills of students in the culinary arts, baking & patisserie, and food safety sectors.
The delegation was welcomed by CAP President Ahmad Shafiq, who took them on a comprehensive campus tour of the skills showcasing. The participants impressed the guests with a series of innovative and beautifully presented dishes, demonstrating the high level of training and expertise.
In appreciation of the delegation’s visit, a delightful lunch was arranged, showcasing the best of participants’ culinary expertise. During the event, Mian Abuzar Shad praised the efforts of CAP and COTHM for their collective contributions to raising a highly skilled workforce in Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of such programs in ensuring the country’s competitive edge in the global hospitality sector.
CAP remains committed to supporting educational initiatives that encourage professional growth and skill development in Pakistan’s hospitality sector.
Worldchefs partner, Unilever Food Solutions, released the Future Menus report, providing a comprehensive look into the future of food service and evidence-based insights to help chefs stay ahead of the curve.
Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) Future Menus 2024 report highlights eight pivotal trends including waste reduction, nostalgic comfort foods, and plant-based innovations, designed to future-proof menus and inspire innovation.
The UFS Future Menus Trend Report findings are translated into practical, action-driven solutions for foodservice operators globally, including recipe inspiration, preparation techniques and ingredient suggestions to help chefs create menu items that are delicious, nutritious, on-trend, profitable, and efficient.
With a Global UFS launch in March 2024, it was specially introduced to Worldchefs’ audience at Congress 2024 in Singapore, where the UFS breakout session on the report’s findings showcased the trends, capturing the imagination of culinary professionals worldwide.
Paris, 13 December 2024 – Worldchefs (the World Association of Chefs’ Societies) is proud to announce the continuation of its strategic partnership with Unilever Food Solutions (UFS), highlighting UFS’s latest innovation: the Future Menus 2024 report. This collaboration underscores both organizations’ dedication to shaping the future of the culinary industry and empowering chefs worldwide with the resources and training on the latest trends, techniques, and sustainable solutions.
Designed to inspire, it equips food service professionals with actionable strategies to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. The report includes UFS’ Global Menu Trends, 16 recipes developed by UFS chefs around the world, and tips, tools and techniques to help chefs create on-trend, profitable menus, including professional insights on topics such as Gen Z & Millennial diners, menu streamlining, and AI in restaurants.
Rigorously researched, Future Menus 2024 draws on data from over 21 countries, including social media analytics with 77,000 keywords and feedback from more than 1,600 chef professionals via the UFS Online Operators panel. It also integrates insights from UFS’s 250 professional chefs and third-party industry reports.
Among the standout trends is Flavor Shock, reflecting Gen Z’s appetite for bold, fusion-driven dining experiences, and Plant-Powered Protein, which prioritizes plant-rich ingredients such as beans and legumes to meet the growing demand for sustainable, flexitarian diets. Additional highlights include Local Abundance, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients, and Low Waste Menus, offering strategies to optimize resources while maximizing sustainability and profitability.
Empowering Chefs Through Information and Education
UFS joined as a Worldchefs’ partner in November 2022, bringing together Worldchefs’ network of chefs in over 105 countries with UFS’s industry-leading creation and discussion of food trends, chef training, and product solutions. The collaboration united UFS’s online chef training portal, UFS Academy, with Worldchefs Approved Courses platform. Through this initiative, hospitality professionals gain unlimited free access to a selection of high-definition training videos, all filmed and created with expert chefs. The suite of training courses includes videos that are under two minutes to help learners achieve actionable skills in an accessible format, covering topics such as menu design, plant-based recipes, and mental health in the kitchen.
“Our partnership with Unilever Food Solutions exemplifies our shared dedication to culinary excellence and building a better future, providing chefs with the tools to innovate and lead in a dynamic industry,” said Ragnar Fridriksson, Worldchefs Managing Director. “Access to key consumer insights, coupled with skills training and education, is key to this process. The Future Menus 2024 report is an incredible resource for chefs aiming to future-proof their offerings and create meaningful impact, and we are proud to continue working with UFS to empower chefs everywhere with new information, resources, and opportunities.”
Shaping the Culinary Landscape
During the Worldchefs Congress 2024 in Singapore, Unilever Food Solutions introduced the Future Menus 2024 report with a breakout session, inviting attendees for an exclusive glimpse into the report’s findings. Garnering significant media attention, the session emphasized the importance of sustainability and innovation. Key themes included minimizing food waste, embracing nostalgia with a modern twist, and leveraging plant-based technologies to meet the growing demand for sustainable dining options.
Worldchefs invites chefs, educators, and culinary innovators to explore the Future Menus 2024 report and engage with key insights set to shape the future of the industry.
About Unilever Food Solutions
Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is a business of chefs for chefs. Accounting for 20% of Unilever’s Foods Business Group, UFS operates in over 75 countries as a dedicated supplier to the food service industry. Drawing on the expertise of over 250 professional in-house chefs, UFS offers food service professionals high-quality products, industry inspiration and best-in-class services. Our highly regarded portfolio of key products and solutions features power brands like Knorr Professional and Hellmann’s that perform exceptionally well in the professional kitchen.
The UFS Positive Kitchens initiative helps to foster a positive culture in the professional kitchen by addressing the key challenges commonly encountered and providing tools, training and advice to promote well being. Our culinary training programmes provide chefs and food service professionals with best-in-class services and tools.
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 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;
Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.
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