Bengaluru, February 4, 2026: Bengaluru today took centre stage in the global culinary spotlight as it hosted one of the official competition rounds of the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026, the world’s largest and most prestigious culinary competition for student chefs. The event celebrates unity, sustainability and cultural exchange through food, bringing together the next generation of culinary talent from across the globe.
Organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) under the aegis of the International Hospitality Council (IHC), London, the Bengaluru round was conducted at the IIHM Bangalore campus kitchens, following stringent international competition and judging protocols. Young culinary talents from Mauritius, Colombia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, England, Equatorial Guinea and Timor-Leste competed in skill-intensive challenges designed to test technique, creativity, innovation, hygiene practices and professional kitchen discipline.
The Bengaluru leg of the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 is sponsored by Brigade Hospitality-Signature Club as the Venue Sponsor and Holiday Inn as the ‘United World of Young Chefs’ (UWYC) Venue Sponsor, McCain Food Services, Ariane Porcelain, American Pistachios and Karnataka tourism.
The competition in Bengaluru was judged by an eminent panel of international and Indian culinary leaders, including Prof. David Foskett, Ms Vita Whitaker, Chef Vincenzo Oliveri, Chef Steven Ronald Munkley, Chef Mark Reynolds, and noted Bengaluru-based chef Chef Abhijit Saha, ensuring rigorous, transparent and world-class evaluation standards.
Speaking about the event, Ms Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Hotel School, Bangalore, Head-South India and Co-Director-IndiSmart Learning, said, “Bengaluru continues to play a significant role in nurturing young culinary talent and strengthening India’s presence on the global hospitality education map. The introduction of the Young Chef India round has added a strong national dimension to the Olympiad, offering aspiring student chefs across the country a valuable platform to benchmark their skills against international standards.”
Talking about the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026, Dr Suborno Bose, CEO, International Hospitality Council (IHC), Founder of the Young Chef Olympiad and Chairman, IIHM, said, “Over the years, the Young Chef Olympiad has evolved into a unique global platform that goes beyond competition to foster learning, cultural exchange and collaboration through food. YCO 2026 continues this journey by bringing together young culinary talent from across the world, while reinforcing the values of sustainability, professionalism and unity that define the future of the hospitality industry.”
Beyond competition, the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 in Bengaluru also showcased the spirit of ‘Culinary Youth Diplomacy’, with student chefs and mentors engaging in cultural exchange and collaboration.
Student teams also compete for special recognitions, including the YCO Sustainability Award and the Spirit of Young Chef Olympiad International Award, honouring excellence beyond the kitchen.
Highlighting the rich multicultural culinary traditions of participating nations, the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 brought together student chefs from seven countries, with each participant showcasing a signature dish from their respective country under the banner of the ‘United World of Young Chefs’. Earlier, on Feb 1, Bengaluru also hosted the national inauguration of the event.
