Bengaluru February 4th, 2025: 10 young chef Olympians from 10 different countries of the world participated in the Round 1 of the 11th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) in the Bengaluru campus of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) today.
The participants of the round-1 were Doru Lucian Nasta from Romania, Lim Qi Yi from Malaysia, Alicia Dzithendo Muvhirwa from South Africa, Elwaro Junior Suze from Namibia, Aishath Sobaha Hussain from Maldives, Sarmila Subba from Bhutan, Nguema Obono Aqulies Alogo from Equatorial Guinea, Young Choi from Switzerland, Gabrielle Brooke Harrison from Northern Islands and Shirin Moosaee from Iran.
The culinary battle, that began at 9 am saw these young chefs showcasing their culinary skills in 3.5 hours starting with skills test, preparation of vegetarian dish and a dessert. The contest concluded at 2:00 PM.
The first round of the Olympiad Competition for Bengaluru was judged by a panel of esteemed international chefs, including Chef Shaun Kenworthy, Chef/food concept consultant and strategist, Chef Mario Perera, Executive Chef at The Dorchester, London. Chef Enzo Oliveri, Celebrity Chef, Cavaliere OSI, President of Italian Chefs Federation UK, Director International Hospitality Council, Senior Judge Young Chef Olympiad, Hospitality Educator, Food promoter, Events/Exhibition Organiser. The Chief Adjudicator was Chef Paul Jervis – head of school Westminster capital city of college.
The Bengaluru event will be sponsored by Ariane Porcelain, Brigade Hospitality, Mc Cain Foods, Incredible India- Ministry of Tourism & Yuva Tourism Bangalore Chapter and Delphis.
“The competition aimed to test the participants’ culinary skills, creativity, and knowledge of different cuisines, as well as their ability to work under pressure. The judges were impressed with the level of skill and creativity displayed by the young chefs, making it a tough competition to judge. We all are super excited as this is the 11th YCO”, apprised Sanchari Chowdhury, FIIHM, Director- IIHM Hotel School, Bangalore, Head- South India & Co-Director- IndiSmart Learning.
The leading 10 competitors from Round 1 will compete in the Grand Finale; the next 10 competitors filling the 11th to 20th positions will compete for the Plate Trophy and the remaining competitors will take part in the YCO Dr Suborno Bose Challenge. The 11th International IIHM Young Chef Olympiad looks all set to be the mega culinary competition and conclave of the year.
On the occasion, Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM, who conceptualised and has passionately guided this event since its inception in 2015, said, “The 11th International Young Chef Olympiad is the biggest Culinary Olympiad anywhere in the world. This year over 50 countries are participating in the Olympiad. This is the first time in the history of the event that there is participation in such large numbers. IIHM campuses across the country are eagerly looking forward to hosting this mega culinary competition which will not only inspire young chefs from around the world to do their best but also sensitise them to the critical importance of sustainability in the field of hospitality.”
The Grand Final’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medallists; the Plate Trophy Winner; the YCO Dr Suborno Bose Challenge Winner and all other Award Winners will be announced at the Closing Awards Ceremony on the evening of February 8, 2025. While the Gold winner will be awarded a US $ 5,000 prize, the Silver winner will bag US $3,000, and the Bronze winner $2,000.
“This year an additional elimination round was the Young Chef India round which saw participation from students from hotel management institutes across the country. We are proud that the winner of the YCI 2025 is Aliakbar Rampurawala from Bengaluru,” apprised Ms Chowdhury,
“Showcasing the multicultural culinary diversity of different countries, YCO 2025 also brought together the student chefs and chef mentors for the “United World of Young Chefs”. There was World Cuisine display on Feb 3 by the 10 participating countries at Bangalore & Karnataka Food festival organized by IIHM Bangalore in partnership with Venue Partner Brigade Hospitality,” added Ms Chowdhury.