50 top student chefs from 50 countries
Mumbai, 29 January 2016: International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), India’s largest hotel school chain kicked off the culinary heats in Mumbai and Bangalore today after a successful one in Delhi yesterday for Young Chef Olympiad (YCO), the world’s biggest Olympiad for culinary students that will continue to serve as a platform to connect culinary talent from across borders. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, the event saw culinary student chefs from 50 countries along with their chef mentors compete for top honors in all the three cities today.
The temperature rose by a couple of degrees as all the student chefs cooked up a storm and presented their creations to the judges in each city. Along with an esteemed panel of judges comprising of Prof David Foskett, Chef Andreas Muller, Chef Shaun Kenworthy celebrity chef judges joined them in each city. While Chef Ranveer Brar joined them in Delhi yesterday and Chef Eric Neo in Mumbai added an additional dollop of spicy heat to the competition today in each city.
Vicky Ratnani along with other Judges panel at Young Chef Olympiad.
The event also witnessed Mr. Vicky Ratnani, a Gourmand, Connoisseur and Celebrity Chef as a judge of the Young Chef Olympiad.
This second season of the Young Chef Olympiad, world’s biggest Olympiad for culinary students is a great platform to learn, teach, network with the best culinary schools worldwide along with a chance to win the global grand title and a cash prize of $10,000.
The 6 day event saw a grand opening ceremony on 27th Jan 2016 at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi where the biggest culinary heats of the planet took place; it was followed by a simultaneous cook-off in all the three cities today. It will then culminate into a Grand Finale to be held in Kolkata on 1st February, 2016. The much awaited culinary competition will not only set a new benchmark in culinary competitions but will also see the creation of several new gastronomic delights but will also launch the careers of many amongst the participants.
Vicky Ratnani judging the contestants at YCO
The other judges which were
a part of the jury were Chef Ashish Bhasin (Executive Chef at Hotel Oberoi Trident, BKC),Chef Rahul Dhavale (Executive Chef Westin Mumbai), Chef Sandeep Pande (Executive Chef Renaissance Hotel Powai) ,Chef Satbir Bakshi (Executive Chef Oberoi Towers Narimal Point)Chef Ritesh Sen (Executive Chef Radison Blu Pune)
Commenting at the event, Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman of the Young Chef Olympiad & CEO- IIHM, said, “We are delighted at the global participation this year. It is a fantastic event that will reach out globally to as many countries as possible. Food has always been the biggest unifier and continues to be so in today’s day and age. YCO has connected talent across borders from the best culinary colleges under one roof making it a truly global event. Connecting the students from India with world class chefs from across the globe will not only bridge bonds but will also lay foundations of a global connect that will go a long way in each of their careers. The YCO will not only produce and refine the best talent amongst the young chefs but will also give the young talent a platform to learn, teach, showcase and network with.”
Further commenting on the event Chef Shaun Kenworthy, Culinary Director, IIHM, said “It’s a great initiative that will help build bridges for talent in this field across borders. It is a great opportunity for aspiring young cooks to showcase their talent and make the country proud. The healthy competition between the culinary students and their chef mentors have made this season brilliant! The dishes we have seen today in all the cities take creativity and innovation in food to a new level.”
Rupinder Khurana, Director-IIHM Pune, further added, “The event is a fabulous opportunity for all our students and will connect young chefs globally- bringing cultures and cuisines together. Not only will they network with the great
master chefs and mentors but also have an opportunity to build a global connect for their careers in the hospitality industry. Hosting the 13 countries in Mumbai
today has been an exhilarating experience. Discovering new talent and dishes put together by young creative culinary minds from across the world has made this a fantastic day in culinary art on a global level today.”
