The culinary world witnessed an intense battle as 10 young chefs from 10 different countries showcased their skills in the final cook off of the 10th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) at the Bengaluru campus of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM). The event marked a significant milestone as part of the world's biggest culinary Olympiad.

The participants, hailing from diverse corners of the globe, included Stelian Genchev Ganchev from Bulgaria, Karl Joakim Erik from Sweden, Adrian Leroy Tomasi from Fiji, Adisa Wacu Maryanne from Kenya, Regina Losana Stoopen from Mexico, Chintaloo Rowin from Mauritius, Kamal Thapa from Nepal, Clifford Jeff Unabia from the Philippines, Baran Kalmaz from Turkey, and Itqua Ansari from the UAE.

The culinary battle kicked off at 9 AM, with these talented chefs engaging in a 3.5-hour contest, featuring a skills test, preparation of a vegetarian dish, and crafting a dessert. The competitive spirit was palpable, and the contest concluded at 2:00 PM.

A distinguished panel of international chefs, including Prof Dato Abdul Wahab Zamzani, Chef Shaun Leonard, Chef Enzo Oliveri, and Chef Anupam Gulati, took on the responsibility of judging Round 1. The competition aimed to evaluate participants' culinary skills, creativity, knowledge of different cuisines, and their ability to perform under pressure.

Sanchari Chowdhury, Director of IIHM Bengaluru, highlighted the tough competition faced by the judges, who were impressed with the remarkable skill and creativity displayed by the young chefs. The 10th YCO promises to be an exciting edition, marking a decade of culinary excellence.

The winners were announced at the Closing Awards Ceremony on the evening of February 4, 2024. The prize amount for the gold winner would be USD 5,000, the silver winner USD 3,000, and the bronze winner USD 2,000.

The moment of culinary glory arrived at the Grand Finale, where Leyla Valiyeva from Azerbaijan secured the Gold Medal with her perfectly crafted Green Herb Chicken Roulade. Clifford Jeff Cadunggo Unabia from the Philippines and Kamal Thapa from Nepal shared the Silver, while Francesco Orsi from Italy claimed the Bronze with his outstanding Piatto Con il Pollo preparation.

In 2024, the theme centers around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with India's G20 Presidency. With over 60 countries participating, this edition witnesses the highest-ever global engagement.

Image Credits: YCO Official Website