9th International Young Chef Olympiad Concluded in Kolkata

The world's largest culinary olympiad, YCO 2023, came to an end during a magnificent Closing Ceremony and Awards Night hosted at Wet-O-Wild, Nicco Park Complex, Salt Lake, Kolkata, following a week of hard cooking and judging throughout six Indian cities.

The COVID-19 epidemic forced the 9th edition of YCO to be held virtually for two years, during which time some of the most talented young cooks in the world competed for the title of Best Young Chef in the World. Some of the most notable and well-known figures from the hospitality and tourism industries were also present at YCO 2023.

The Top 10 finalists of YCO 2023 had been chosen in the Grand Finale held at the IIHM Global Campus in Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata, a day earlier, on February 3, 2023, in a heart-pounding conclusion. Azerbaijan, England, France, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States were among the Top 10 Finalists.

“Organized by sheer determination, the Young Chef Olympiad is not about winning or losing,” said Dr Suborno Bose, the visionary and hospitality education pioneer behind YCO, “It is about friendship, camaraderie, bonding, and about making friends for life. Yes, it’s a competition but it’s also the place where the world meets the world. It’s the place where you make memories for life”

The Closing Ceremony was a sizable, opulent, and celebrity-studded occasion that represented the unstoppable spirit of the students, mentors, judges, and everyone else involved in making #YCO2023 a huge success. All 53 participating countries—young chefs and their mentors—who had travelled to YCO from all over the world were summoned on stage and introduced to the crowd during the big Closing Ceremony. It's safe to say that this was the largest gathering of Young Chefs ever.

A fascinating event was the closing ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries from the culinary world who spoke about their previous YCO experiences and offered their perspectives on the value of exquisite detail and environmentally friendly hospitality to the 50 participating countries.

The huge event was discussed by Professor David Foskett, MBE, Chair of the Jury for YCO 2023. Lord Karan Billimoria, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, expressed his congratulations and best wishes for IIHM in a recorded video message.

The participation of star chef Padma Shree Sanjeev Kapoor, the Chief Mentor of the Young Chef Olympiad, was a highlight of the Closing Ceremony. He enchanted the crowd with his charming demeanour, pleasant smile, and elegance.

The innovative ideas of Dr. Suborno Bose, the brains behind it all, could then be heard. Dr. Bose is a visionary and leader in the hospitality industry who need no introduction. He is the CEO of the International Hospitality Council, the Young Chef Olympiad, the Chairman and Group CEO of the IIHM, and the Indismart Group Worldwide. His daring to try new things is what gave rise to the World's Biggest Culinary Olympiad. Dr. Bose is responsible for bringing 53 nations together under one roof, and the event is being broadcast worldwide on IIHM's special channel, which has more than 3.3 million subscribers.

It is crucial to acknowledge YCO 2023’s Kitchen IT Partner – Kitchen Cut by YCO Chief Judge Chef John Wood who very kindly lent use of the fabulous software that was used in the Kitchen for the YCO Competition.

The moment that everyone had been waiting for finally came, and to a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, the Top 3 Winners of YCO 2023 were revealed.

India's Naureen Shaikh took home bronze and $2,000 in prizes.

Thailand's Patiphon Lertsurakitti won silver and $3,000 in cash.

Azerbaijan's Emil Zeynalzade won the grand prize, which included the coveted Gold Trophy and US$ 5,000 in cash.

HE Dr. Ashraf Shikhaliyev, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to India who had specifically flown in from New Delhi to attend the Closing Ceremony, expressed his happiness at Azerbaijan's victory and best wishes for the future of the Young Chef from Azerbaijan.