Page 76 - Hospitality Horizon Feb-Mar 2025

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

(From L to R) England mentor Christopher Julian Basten, Chef Ranveer Brar, England winner Kamran Taylor, Padma Shri Sanjeev Kapoor, Dr Suborno
Bose, Prof. David Foskett OBE and Chef Andrew Mackenzie.
ENGLAND WINS IIHM’S

YOUNG CHEF OLYMPIAD

WORLD’S LARGEST COLLABORATIVE COMPETITION FOR YOUNG CHEFS
CONCLUDES WITH A GRAND CLOSING CEREMONY IN KOLKATA

amran Taylor, a young chef from England, was culinary talents from around the world.
crowned champion at the world’s largest competition Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman of the YCO, said, “The world of
for young chefs, the IIHM International Young Chef culinary arts is united under the grand Kolkata sky. Culinary
KOlympiad (YCO), which featured participants from 50 diplomacy means this. In a united world of young chefs, it’s
countries. the best way to make the world happy and sustainable through
In a glittering grand finale of the 11th edition of YCO, food. Only in India can you achieve something like this. This
contested by the top 10 teams after the first two rounds, year, YCO felt like a family, and we had a new venue for the
Armenia’s Arsen Armenakyan secured the silver, while Yves opening ceremony in Goa, on the banks of the Arabian Sea.”
Gabriel Cabrera Po from the Philippines won the bronze Prof. David Foskett OBE, Chairman of the Jury for YCO said,
trophy. “YCO is a grand celebration of friendship, unity and passion.
The 11th edition of the YCO was organised by the International It depicts the unifying power of food in a world of conflict.
Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) in partnership with the YCO can happen only in India, under the visionary leadership
International Hospitality Council (IHC), London. of Dr Bose, who does again and again and again.
The host country, India, made the nation proud as Chef Padma Shri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor remarked, “YCO is surely
Aliakbar Mustafa Rampurawala from IIHM Bengaluru won the about compassion. But when you do it for 11 years, you
prestigious Dr. Suborno Bose Culinary International Challenge multiply the compassion. YCO is also about competition with
Prize, along with the UAE’s Jasmin Ali Maher Lutfi Jarrar. This collaboration. Dr Bose is not only a lovable madman with a
unique category featured 28 teams, which were not placed in golden jacket, but he is a man of steel.”
either the grand finale or the plate rounds. They were divided Dr Bose also highlighted IIHM’s efforts in integrating AI into
into 14 pairs, representing two countries each, in a spirit of hospitality and hospitality education. He announced IIHM’s
culinary collaboration. Global Knowledge Sharing Declaration on AI in hospitality
The Plate Trophy, contested by teams ranked between with 50 countries, promoting inclusivity, human touch, and
11 and 20 after the first round, was proudly lifted by South sustainability.
Korea’s Shi-Hyun An. On a magical night in Kolkata, everyone emerged as
The YCO Champion, Plate Trophy winner, and Dr. Suborno winners, as the united world of young chefs celebrated their
Bose International Culinary Challenge recipients were chosen roles as ambassadors of culinary diplomacy, dancing into the
after two rounds of intense competition showcasing the best night amidst a swirl of colours and cultures.