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- Five regional semi-finals, one global stage – Finalists from across Europe, Africa & Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Rim are preparing to compete in Wales at the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2026.
- Four categories of excellence – Global Chefs, Global Pastry Chefs, Global Vegan Chefs, and Global Young Chefs will showcase their skill, creativity, and innovation.
- See the Global Chefs Challenge live in Wales – Join us in Wales to catch all the action at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026.
Paris, 28 October 2025 – After an extraordinary year of competition spanning five continents, Worldchefs is proud to announce the finalists who will compete in the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2026, taking place during the Worldchefs Congress & Expo, 16–19 May 2026, at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.
Representing the world’s top culinary talent, they now advance to the Finals in Wales, joined by Finland, winner of IKA 2024, and host nation Wales, competing on home soil for the first time in Worldchefs’ 98-year history.
A Journey Around the Culinary World
From the European Grand Prix in Rimini to the final Pacific showdown in the Cook Islands, the 2025 season celebrated the artistry, innovation, and professionalism that define Worldchefs competitions. Chefs competed across four categories: Global Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, Global Vegan Chefs Challenge, and the Global Young Chefs Challenge (Hans Bueschkens Trophy).
“We are proud to announce the finalists for the prestigious Worldchefs Global Chefs Challenge competition! This remarkable achievement reflects not only culinary excellence but also the dedication, creativity, and professionalism that define the very best in our profession,” said Rick Stephen, Worldchefs Vice President and Culinary Competition Committee Chair. “As a finalist, they will represent their country on the global stage, competing among the world’s most talented chefs. It’s a moment of pride not only for the individual, but for our entire culinary community of Worldchefs.”
Highlights from the 2025 Regional Semi-Finals
Over 50 chefs competed in Rimini for the first regional semi-finals of the season. Italy’s Giuseppe De Vincenzo claimed top honors in the European Grand Prix.
Held during ExpoCulinaire and the Emirates Salon Culinaire, the event celebrated regional excellence. Elizabeth Puleni Taati Isai (Namibia) and Yury Evfimento (UAE) will continue to the finals in the Global Chefs category.
Hosted during the ACF National Convention, the Americas Semi-Finals spotlighted dynamic performances. Derek R. Mazzocoli (USA) and Jaime Leal Cruz (Mexico) led the pack, qualifying for the finals.
Featuring 51 teams from 14 countries, Asia’s semi-final shone with innovation and technical mastery. Stanton Wong Hau Zhe (Singapore) and Trinh Tuan Dung (Vietnam) were among the standout winners.
The semi-finals season concluded in the Cook Islands, where Leslie Chan (Australia) and Navneet Reddy (Fiji) earned their tickets to Wales, among others.
Wales will proudly compete in each category, led by Sam Everton, Calum Smith, Ryan Jones, and Andrew Minto, following their victories at the Welsh International Culinary Championships.
Meet the Finalists
"Hopefully, I can win a medal at the Global Chef Challenge finals on home soil next year.
Representing Wales in the Global Chefs Challenge is Sam Everton, lecturer at Coleg Ceredigion, Cardigan who works weekends at the Michelin accredited Yr Hen Printworks, Cardigan.
- Australia: Leslie Chan
- Denmark: Tommy Jespersen
- Fiji: Navneet Reddy
- Finland (IKA 2024 Winner): Katja Tuomainen
- Iceland: Hinrik Órn Lárusson
- Italy: Giuseppe De Vincenzo
- Mexico: Jaime Leal Cruz
- Namibia: Elizabeth Puleni Taati Isai
- Netherlands: Ruben van Zanten
- Portugal: André Serra
- Singapore: Stanton Wong Hau Zhe
- Slovakia: Andreo Roth
- UAE: Yury Evfimento
- USA: Derek R. Mazzocoli
- Vietnam: Tuan Dung Trinh
- Wales (Host): Sam Everton
- Czech Republic: Karolína Hávová
- Fiji: Vikash Chetty
- Mexico: Pablo Galvan
- Norway: Martine Espeland
- Serbia: Milan Lukovic
- Singapore: Cheng Yen Ping
- UAE: Ruwan Kumara Phille Gedara
- Wales (Host): Andrew Minto
- Denmark: Bjarke Jeppesen
- Fiji: Abinesh Sharma
- Hong Kong: Ben Chan Chi Bun
- Italy: Luigi D’Antonio
- Romania: Alin Vadean
- UAE: Janam Maharjan
- USA: Michael J. Stamets
- Wales (Host): Ryan Jones
- Australia: Liam Brnic
- Cyprus: Constantina Papaioannou
- Norway: Trym Karlsen
- Qatar: Kevin Glorial Putra Pamara
- Romania: Antohi Paul
- Taiwan: Yi-Hsuan Hung
- USA: Yeishalee Santana
- Wales (Host): Calum Smith
The Road to Wales
"We all believe [mental training] is very important. It brings you security and a good base you can stand on. If you face challenges during the competition, your coaches cannot help. You have to help yourself. This brings you self-confidence and the instruments to work on the challenges if something happens."
2024 Worldchefs’ Global Chef Challenge winner, Ale Mordasini traces his inspiring journey from apprenticing in Switzerland to winning the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2024 in Singapore on this episode of World on a Plate.
The Global Chefs Challenge is where the world’s top chefs meet to compete in four competition categories. Selected through top performance at the Worldchefs Regional Semi-Finals in 2025, qualifying teams will go head-to-head at the Global Chef Challenge Finals. Here, the best and brightest convene to show mastery in the culinary arts.
To learn more about the Global Chefs Challenge and the road to Wales 2026, visit https://worldchefs.org/globalchefschallenge/.
Explore the results from past editions.
Global Chefs Challenge Finals at Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026Worldchefs Congress & Expo is a hallmark tradition of Worldchefs, and has been organized in cities around the world throughout its illustrious 98-year history. The forum brings together delegates from across the five continents to network and expand their professional bonds. The unique program delivers presentations and workshops from leading experts in the hospitality industry, impactful educational programs including the Worldchefs Educators’ Forum, specialized events designed to uplift the next generation of chefs such as the Bill Gallagher Young Chefs Forum, an international trade exhibition, the Global Chefs Challenge competition, and diverse activities to enhance both personal and professional networks.
The 2026 Worldchefs Congress & Expo and Global Chefs Challenge Finals will be held in Wales, hosted by the Culinary Association of Wales.
Visit www.worldchefscongress.org for more information.