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Pune, 4th February 2026: International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) is organizing the 12th edition of the Young Chef Olympiad 2026 (YCO), the world’s largest culinary competition for student chefs. It is a celebration of unity, solidarity and sustainability through food, which has historically built bridges of friendship among culturally diverse nations. This year the platform brings together student chefs from over 40 countries in the world’s largest and most inclusive culinary competition for young professionals.
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The theme of YCO 2026, is “Preserving the World’s Global Culinary Heritage through AI,” reflects IIHM’s broader vision of integrating technology responsibly into hospitality education while retaining the centrality of human skill, creativity and cultural understanding. With participants representing diverse culinary traditions from across continents, YCO 2026 continues to position food as a powerful bridge between cultures - reinforcing India’s role as a global meeting point for young culinary talent.
The preliminary round took place on February 3, 2026, across five cities - Bengaluru, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Goa. The preliminary round in Pune featured participation from seven countries, including Italy, Mexico, Canada, Malaysia, Cyprus, Egypt and Sri Lanka. During this round, participants prepared Bhetki fish as the main course (Modern Brasserie/Bistro) and a vegan dessert (hot or cold), plated in four portions.
The main course was a pan-seared Bhetki fillet served in a creamy pea purée, accompanied by celery, asparagus, roasted tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, and drizzled with a herb butter sauce. The dessert was a vegan cheesecake (hot or cold), topped with cashew filling, premium cocoa, biscuit for savour and seasoning, and finished with vegan cashew filling.
The main course and vegan dessert were judged on presentation, consistency, cooking skills, quality, and taste and flavour.
The esteemed judges for the preliminary competition included Chef Paul Jervis, Head of School - Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Westminster Kingsway College, London; Chef Stephen Carter, Executive Chef, Boodles, London; Chef Sarah Hartnett, Global Pastry Icon & Callebaut Ambassador; Chef Mario Perera, Executive Chef, Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge; Chef Shaun Kenworthy, Culinary and Global F&B Visionary; and Chef Ritesh Sen, Corporate F&B London, The Fern Hotel and Resorts.
Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman IIHM & Chairman YCO said, "The Young Chef Olympiad Event is an event beyond food. It is a testament to the uniting power of food bringing nations together. We are confident of a better tomorrow with Young Chefs building the pathway in innovation and skills along with their creativity, flavour and taste in culinary arts.”
The participants were also part of the United World of Young Chefs (UWYC), a celebration of friendship and camaraderie that offered Young Chef Olympians an opportunity to experience solidarity through the culinary arts amidst intense competition. UWYC was held a day prior to the preliminary competition across different cities, including Pune, where it took place at Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi. During the event, contestants presented their countries’ iconic heritage dishes. Guests indulged in Italian Spaghetti Bolognese, Malaysian Nasi Lemak, Canadian Poutine, Mexican tacos, Cyprus souvlaki, Egyptian koshari and Sri Lankan chicken curry, among several other dishes.
At the conclusion of the preliminary round, 40 country representatives will travel to Kolkata for the final phase of the Olympiad. All key culminating events will be held at IIHM’s Global Campus in Kolkata from February 4 to February 6, 2026.
The top 10 Young Chef Olympians will compete in the grand finale of the Young Chef Olympiad 2026. In addition, the Plate Trophy and the Dr Suborno Bose Culinary International Challenge prize will also be contested. Each trophy on this global platform is set to embellish the careers of young chefs and validate their skills.
The event is supported by leading hospitality partners including Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi, Novotel Viman Nagar, IBIS Viman Nagar, Chufang Asian Kitchen and Bar and Saanjh Family Restaurant.
About Young Chef Olympiad (YCO):
Launched in the year 2015, Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) aims to give young student chefs from around the world a platform to showcase their skills and compete at the global level. Through the last eleven editions of the Olympiad, the world has seen culinary stars been born and dreams been celebrated on the global culinary stage.