Young Chef Olympiad 2020 to Commence in Pune

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai, 23rd January 2020: Pune is all set to play host to the world’s largest culinary competition, Young Chef Olympiad 2020, yet again, and this time the city will host 10 out of the 55 participating nations. The event will also see eminent international chefs like Chef Andreas Muller, Chef Andy Varma, Karen Anand, Rahul Akerkar and Enzo Oliveri and several more as judges. 

The 6th Edition of Young Chef Olympiad, the biggest culinary competition of the hospitality world, will be held in India from 28 January to 2nd February 2020 across Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Goa and Kolkata. The 5-day long competition will include three rounds of tough challenges for cheftestants. The prizes include a cash prize of $10,000, the Winner’s Trophy and a Gold Toque. Pune will play host to 10 countries, some of whom have previously won the coveted title of YCO. International Chefs Andreas Muller and Andy Varma will be the technical judges in Pune. Chef Enzo Oliveri, Chef Rahul Akerkar and Chef Karen Anand will be the presentation judges for this edition in the city. 

“YCO 2020 has embraced the theme of Sustainability and the world’s biggest culinary extravaganza aims to show the world how to make the world a better place for future generations. “YCO brings people together and one of the biggest takeaways of YCO 2020 is that it will bring young people of the world on one platform. Sustainability is the theme for YCO 2020. At a global level, we are all looking towards this single most important thing that can really make us all suffer a lot in future if it is not taken care of from now itself. There will be a great educational factor in YCO from this year onwards. It is not just about cooking, culinary presentations but also about sustainability and how you can introduce it in your institution in your country,” said Dr Suborno Bose, the CEO of IHC and Founder YCO at the press conference.

"When we were studying, a platform like YCO didn't exist. I am happy that students today have the opportunity to experience something like YCO" said, Padma Shri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

"Brilliant effort by Dr Suborno Bose and IIHM for making it a world class event. YCO provides a fabulous platform which brings the world closer and celebrates cultures and young talent. The entire team ensures continuous improvement on the competition" said, Atul Bhalla, GM, ITC Hotels, West Bengal. "YCO puts India on the Culinary Map of the world. It is a momentous event that gives young chefs a global platform. Indian Hotels applauds IIHM for pioneering and representing Indian Hospitality globally" said, Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, Indian Hotels. "Hotel industry is grateful to IIHM for organising the YCO. YCO is the world's biggest culinary competition that provides a platform for global learning"- Vikram Oberoi, MD and CEO of The Oberoi Group.

India Contestant: India’s YCO 2020 participant is Varun Tej Reddy, a bright and talented young chef from the IIHM Hyderabad campus. He recently represented IIHM as a finalist at the Star Chef 2019 event held at Bangkok. He will be accompanied by his mentor, Chef Clement D’Cruz, who will be training Varun to prepare the dishes for the Olympiad to perfection and within the stipulated time.

Event Format: The Olympiad will commence with a Grand Opening Ceremony on 30th January at 8.00 AM at the IIHM Campus in Pune. The first round of the competition begins at 9.00 AM, with a time limit of one hour. The dishes will be judged blindly - without indication of country or contestant name. The second round will be held on 31st January with the same rules. 

The contestants will head to Kolkata to participate in the final round on 01 Feb 2020. The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony on 02 Feb 2020. 

Awards: YCO 2020 Winner, 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, Plate Trophy, Best Vegetarian Dish, Best Dessert, Best Hygienic Practice, Rising Star Award