Bengaluru: The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has officially opened registrations for IIHM Young Chef India 2025, the prestigious national-level competition that will select India’s representative for the 12th edition of the Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) in February 2026.
Launched in 2015 by IIHM in collaboration with the International Hospitality Council (IHC), London, the Young Chef Olympiad has evolved into the world’s largest culinary competition for student chefs.
Each year, more than 70 countries take part, transforming the Olympiad into a celebration of culinary talent, global gastronomy, and cultural exchange.
The IIHM Young Chef India 2025 competition will determine the finalist who will carry the Indian tricolour at YCO 2026. For hospitality students across India, this represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their culinary skills on the world’s biggest stage.
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Competition Structure for IIHM Young Chef India 2025
The event unfolds in three stages:
- Preliminary Round: Hospitality institutions and universities across India nominate their most promising final-year student chefs.
- Qualifier Round: Shortlisted chefs compete at IIHM campuses in Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune.
- National Final: The top eight chefs (two from each city) battle for the title in Kolkata, with one winner earning the honour of representing India at YCO 2026.
The Young Chef Olympiad 2026 will be hosted across six Indian cities from 1st to 6th February 2026, culminating in a grand finale in Kolkata.
Free Registration and Key Dates
IIHM has announced that there will be no participation fee for IIHM Young Chef India 2025. Registrations are open until 26th September 2025 via www.youngchefindia.com/register-now. The selection rounds will be held between the end of September and mid-November 2025.
Industry and Student Opportunities
Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman of IIHM, said, “The Young Chef Olympiad is not just a contest, it is a global stage for talent, diplomacy, and learning. Young Chef India gives our student chefs the chance to showcase their skills and carry the pride of India to 70 nations at YCO 2026.”
IIHM has invited hospitality and culinary institutions nationwide to nominate their best final-year student chefs. For students, IIHM Young Chef India 2025 offers a direct gateway to international recognition, cultural exchange, and global career opportunities.
