Albania Crowned World Champion at IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026

Albania Crowned World Champion at IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 9, 2026

The global headquarters of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) stood at the centre of the global culinary world as the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026 reached its grand and emotional conclusion in Kolkata. Recognised as the biggest stage in the world for student chefs, the Olympiad once again brought together young culinary talent from across continents in a celebration of skill, culture, and collaboration.

In a historic moment, Albania was crowned the new World Champion of YCO 2026. Enri Cuedari, the young chef from Instituti Kulinari Neranxi, lifted the golden trophy and was awarded the golden toque, marking a proud milestone for the country of origin of one of Kolkata’s most loved and adored people, Mother Teresa. His win came in a competition that witnessed the largest congregation of young chefs in the world.

England, the winner of YCO 2025, secured the second position, with Dominic Thomas Grundy of Westminister Capital City Collage receiving the silver trophy. Sri Lanka emerged as the second runner-up, lifting the bronze trophy, proudly represented by Vidanagamage Rumira Reshan Piyasiri of the Colombo Academy of Hospitalityx Management. The podium reflected the high standards and global diversity that defined the competition.

France, one of the world’s finest culinary nations, won the Plate trophy, represented by Maelyss Helene Parrot. The Dr Suborno Bose Challenge Trophy, a special and heartwarming competition where two countries are paired to cook a dish together, was won by Ozodbek Odilov of Uzbekistan and Melquirudi Leki- Bere da Cunha of Timor Leste. This challenge embodied the belief that food has its own language of unity.

All of them rose to glory under the clear night sky of Kolkata, standing not just as winners, but as representatives of a new generation of global culinary leadership. Each participant proved worthy in what is now recognised as the world’s most collaborative and culturally rich culinary competition.

The final competitive rounds were held at IIHM’s Global Campus in the city, followed by a grand celebration and awards night at Wet-O-Wild, Nicco Park complex, which was announced as the venue for the Grand Finale celebrations. Music, dancing, and joy marked the culmination of the world’s largest competition for student chefs.

The Top 10 finalists represented an exceptional mix of global culinary talent. Jomar T. Bernardo (Philippines), Vioanagamage Rumira Reshan Piyasiri (Sri Lanka), Aavie Ng Shi Chuan (Malaysia), Kotamsetti Satya Teja (India), Rohan Chettri (Nepal), Dominic Thomas Grunoy (England), Georgios Aionnis (Sweden), Emma Gisele Biro (Canada), Enri Cuedari (Albania), and Ananya Madaan (Switzerland) earned their places through skill, integrity, and deep respect for tradition and innovation. Their presence reaffirmed the truly global soul of the Olympiad, with India proudly placing among the top ten.

As the curtains came down on YCO 2026, the Olympiad stood out as far more than a competition. It emerged as a global knowledge and learning ecosystem where technology, ethics, sustainability, and human creativity came together with purpose. The theme, “Preserving the World’s Global Culinary Heritage through AI”, came alive across kitchens, conversations, and cultures, highlighting the importance of protecting traditional cuisines while embracing innovation.

Reflecting on the spirit of the Olympiad, Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder-Chairman of IIHM and Chief Mentor of YCO, said, “You have travelled from across continents, cultures, climates, and cuisines, but you stand together on one stage, united by a single language: food.”

Describing YCO as culinary diplomacy in action, he added, “At its heart, the Young Chef Olympiad is a place where borders dissolve, politics disappear, and food builds bridges.”

Speaking on the deeper intent of YCO 2026, Dr. Bose further stated, “For the first time, we consciously positioned participating countries as a living laboratory of global culinary heritage, not something you watch or download, but something alive, experienced through people, kitchens, mistakes, learning, and friendships.”

Professor David Foskett, MBE, Chairman of the Grand Jury, observed that the Olympiad reaffirmed the belief that hospitality education must go beyond textbooks and trophies. He highlighted initiatives such as the United World of Young Chefs, the Global Knowledge Sharing Declaration, and the exchange of Culinary Heritage Dossiers, noting that YCO 2026 transformed competition into collaboration, enriching every participant through shared learning and global friendships.

Throughout its journey and its concluding days in Kolkata, YCO 2026 clearly demonstrated that AI was not positioned as a replacement for craft, but as a guardian of memory, helping document and preserve culinary traditions for future generations.

As the Grand Finale concluded, Kolkata once again lived up to its legacy as a city of culture, intellect, and hospitality. The medals were awarded and champions crowned, but what endured was far greater: friendships across borders, heritage honoured through knowledge, and a shared belief that the future of food lies in high skill, strong values, and human connection guided by technology.

The Olympiad ended. The journey, unmistakably, had only just begun.


FitsAir Highlights Ahmedabad Colombo Connectivity Through Travel Trade Webinar

FitsAir Highlights Ahmedabad Colombo Connectivity Through Travel Trade Webinar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 26, 2026

FitsAir and Red Dot Representations recently brought the travel trade closer to Sri Lanka through an exclusive webinar focused on the airline’s new direct connectivity between Ahmedabad and Colombo.

Held on 21st August 2026, the webinar introduced travel partners to the new Ahmedabad–Colombo route and highlighted how the direct connection can make Sri Lanka easier to access for travellers from Gujarat, without the need for layovers.

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The session also explored Sri Lanka’s wider tourism offerings and its appeal across different traveller segments, including families, honeymooners and MICE groups. The destination’s beaches, cultural attractions, wildlife, hospitality and local experiences were among the key highlights.

The webinar went beyond the traditional beach holiday experience, showcasing the different ways Indian travellers can explore Sri Lanka. From spending time along its tropical coastline and discovering its cultural heritage to experiencing its wildlife, local cuisine and hospitality, the session presented the island as a destination with varied experiences.

FitsAir currently operates the Ahmedabad–Colombo service three times a week, giving travellers from Gujarat a more convenient direct option for reaching Sri Lanka. The improved connectivity is expected to support leisure travel, experiential holidays, MICE and destination celebrations, while strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as an accessible short-haul international destination for the Gujarat market.


IIHM Launches First Egg Bank in India to Support Underprivileged Communities

IIHM Launches First Egg Bank in India to Support Underprivileged Communities

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has launched its first Egg Bank in India in Bengaluru, introducing a sustained student-led initiative aimed at providing nutritional support to underprivileged and vulnerable communities.

As part of the launch, IIHM's students, known as Food Soldiers, distributed more than 700 eggs to visually impaired children at Sri Rakum School for the Blind. The initiative has been undertaken in association with the Valmiki Foundation and is designed to move beyond one-time food donations by creating an ongoing nutrition programme.

The IIHM Egg Bank will initially support identified beneficiary institutions in Bengaluru, with plans to progressively extend the programme to old-age homes, orphanages and other organisations serving underprivileged communities. The initiative will subsequently be expanded across IIHM campuses in India, with individual campuses identifying beneficiaries in their respective communities.

Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder & Chairman, IIHM, said, "As a leading hospitality education institution, our responsibility goes beyond creating successful professionals. Hospitality is fundamentally about caring for people. Through the IIHM Egg Bank, our Food Soldiers will help address nutritional deficiencies through meaningful action. We want our students to see CSR not as a one-time activity, but as a sustained responsibility towards the underprivileged."

Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bengaluru & Head-South Operations, said the initiative encourages students to contribute beyond the classroom and become active participants in community service. She described “One Child, One Egg, One Smile” as a reflection of IIHM's belief in sustained and empathetic community engagement.

The programme has been designed around regular distribution rather than a single donation drive. Since eggs are perishable, IIHM's Food Soldiers will undertake distributions twice every month, providing the required quantity for each fortnight. This approach is intended to ensure continuity while giving students an opportunity to engage directly with the communities they support.

The initiative also aligns with IIHM's broader commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 – Zero Hunger. Through its Food Soldiers programme, the institute has previously engaged students in activities focused on providing food and essential support to communities in need.

Dr. Valmiki Hari Kishan, Founder of the Egg Bank Project and Co-Founder & Project Director, Valmiki Foundation, said the Bengaluru initiative marks the 177th Egg Bank overall and the first under IIHM. He noted that the programme's expansion across IIHM campuses could help extend nutritional support to vulnerable communities in multiple cities.

The launch was attended by Mr. P. K. Mohan Kumar, Independent Director, Prestige Hospitality Ventures Limited, as Chief Guest. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the role of initiatives such as the Egg Bank in extending the spirit of hospitality into wider community service.

By combining the Valmiki Foundation's experience with IIHM's institutional network and student participation, the initiative aims to create a sustained model for nutritional support. Beginning with visually impaired children at Sri Rakum School for the Blind, the programme is expected to reach more underserved communities across Bengaluru and, subsequently, other cities through IIHM's campus network.


Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

By Hariharan U

Published on August 25, 2026

Eros Hotel New Delhi is reinforcing its commitment to responsible water management during World Water Week 2026 by highlighting a range of initiatives focused on reducing water consumption, promoting mindful usage and recycling wastewater across its operations.

Organised annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week brings global attention to water-related challenges and the importance of responsible water management. The 2026 edition is being held from 23 to 27 August.

At Eros Hotel New Delhi, water conservation has been integrated across guest areas, kitchens, back-of-house operations and public facilities through a combination of water-efficient infrastructure and awareness initiatives.

The hotel has installed water-saving aerators across taps in guest room washrooms, kitchens and back-of-house areas to regulate water flow and improve consumption efficiency. Public washrooms feature sensor-operated taps, helping reduce unnecessary water usage, while guest rooms are equipped with dual-flush WC cisterns that allow guests to use water according to requirements.

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The hotel's sustainability approach also focuses on creating greater awareness among guests and employees. Water conservation tent cards placed in guest rooms encourage visitors to adopt mindful water-use practices during their stay. Awareness posters across kitchens and back-of-house areas further reinforce responsible water consumption among employees and operational teams.

A key element of Eros Hotel New Delhi's water management strategy is the 100% recycling of wastewater. Treated recycled water is utilised for horticulture and cooling towers, reducing the hotel's dependence on fresh water for selected operational requirements while ensuring wastewater is put to productive use.

By combining water-efficient fixtures, wastewater recycling and awareness programmes, Eros Hotel New Delhi continues to integrate resource-conscious practices into its daily operations.

The initiatives reflect the hotel's broader approach to making water conservation a shared responsibility among guests, employees and operational teams while strengthening its ongoing sustainability efforts.

About Eros Hotel New Delhi:

Eros Hotel New Delhi is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, offering accommodation, dining and hospitality facilities for leisure and business travellers.

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