International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), part of the IndiSmart Group, with Campuses in Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Bangkok will be hosting the World’s first International ‘Young Chef Olympiad’ (YCO) in Kolkata from January 28- 31, 2015.
This event is being supported and partnered by Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, is expected to grace the occasion as chief guest.
The event will witness young chefs from over 30 nations including USA, UK, Spain, France, Switzerland, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Germany and others will come together in Kolkata. They shall represent their country in this unique culinary event that is spread across four days. The competition is open to under graduate students in hospitality colleges from around the world.
A star-studded team comprising of Celebrity Chefs from all over the world will be judging thismMega event. World renowned chef, culinary arts expert and author, professor David Foskett, will be chairing the Panel of Judges. Along with him on the panel, is renowned chef Brain Cleere, director of Culinary Development at Hyatt International, South West Asia; chef Eric Neo, vice president, Singapore Chef Association; chef Kunal Kapur, Indian celebrity chef and restaurateur, best known as the host and judge of the TV series Master Chef India Season one, two and three, chef Robert Boggio, Celebrity Italian Chef , Karen Anand, renowned international food writer and critic, and chef Shaun Kenworthy, Celebrity chef, restaurateur and consultant.
The heats and Finals would be held at IIHM Kolkata Campusn in the attached Indismart Hotel where the Young Chef contestants would be cooking some of the most exotic and delicious dishes from all over the world. The Finals would be among the “Super 8” or eight of the best chefs selected by the Judges.
Elaborating on the format of the event, Chef Sanjay Kak, director of culinary arts, IIHM group, explained, “The format of the competition will revolve around grand opening ceremony followed by competitions for theme based cooking. The countries will be divided in teams, which will have to cook different dishes for the judges. Pressure test will be an integral part of the competition as well as strict hygiene will be key. At the finals, an aggregate of marks will be taken out of all the competitions. At every step, there will be a series of surprises and twists to keep the fun element intact and check the participant’s adaptability. The winner, apart from all the learning and team bonding, will get a cheque of US $10,000 and sponsorship gifts.”
Dr Lalit K Panwar, secretary, ministry of tourism said, “I am happy to note that International Institute of Hotel Management, Delhi with the support of ministry of tourism is organizing the first ever Young Chef Olympiad on January 29- 30, 2015 at Kolkata. I am also happy to note that this event will bring talent from over 40 countries across the globe. With the rapid expansion of tourism and hospitality industry the requirement of skilled manpower are constantly increasing. I hope the Institute will continue working in a clear vision- Mission framework for providing high quality trained manpower for meeting the needs of the hospitality sector.”
Professor David Foskett, head of the London School of Hospitality and Tourism, University of West London said, “The Chef Olympiad is a great opportunity for future stars of the industry to showcase their talents.”
