Radisson Blu Hotel in Pune’s Kharadi recently hosted the Young Chef Olympiad (YCO), featuring aspiring chefs from 10 countries.

Launched in 2015, YCO provides young culinary students from around the world a platform to showcase their skills and compete at a global level. Over the past five editions, the Olympiad has witnessed the rise of new culinary stars and the celebration of dreams on the international stage.

Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman of YCO, described the event as more than just a culinary competition. "It is an event beyond food. It is a testament to the uniting power of food, bringing nations together. This is the pinnacle of culinary diplomacy," he said.

The competition rounds for this year’s edition began on February 3 at IIHM campus kitchens in Goa, followed by events in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The top 10 contestants, based on scores from the first two rounds, will compete in the Grand Finale of YCO 2025 in Kolkata on February 8.

Adding an exciting twist this year, the Olympiad introduced a public voting system, allowing people worldwide to select the most popular national dish.

"Showcasing dishes from participating countries in their respective host cities helps create awareness and break cultural barriers through the universal language of food," added Prof David Foskett OBE, Chairman of the YCO jury.