Inaugurated on January 28, YCO with the theme of sustainability spreads over four days from 29th January to 2nd February with student chefs from 55 countries. Delhi, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru and Kolkata will play host to the competition and the winner of YCO 2020 will be announced in Kolkata on 2nd January
One of the world’s biggest culinary battle for student chefs, International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), a part of the Indismart Group, in partnership with the International Hospitality Council (IHC) London, was inaugurated in Delhi with a glittering ceremony marked by flag march of participant from 55 countries and unveiling of the trophy. During a 5-day long intense competition, the contestants will undertake 3 rounds of culinary challenges in their quest to win the coveted YCO 2020 Champion Trophy, a cash prize of USD 10,000 and a validation of their skills by globally renowned experts from the food and hospitality industry.
India is represented by IIHM student, Varun Tej Reddy.
The Jury for the Olympiad includes some of the most renowned names of the hospitality and culinary industry such as Prof. David Foskett (MBE), Chef Brian Turner CBE (President of The Royal Academy of Culinary), Chef Andreas Muller (Hong Kong), Chef Chris Galvin (UK), Chef John Wood (UK), Chef Stuart Littlejohn (UK), Chef Henry Brosi (UK), Chef Andy Varma (UK), Chef Stefan Hogan (Malta), Chef Garth Stroebel (South Africa), Chef Enzo Oliveri (Italy), Chef Ranveer Brar (India), Chef Parvinder Bali (India).
The competition will be divided into three phases: Round 1, Round 2 and the Grand Final and the Plate Trophy. The competitors will undertake two qualifying rounds involving different culinary challenges that will test their skills and creativity. The top 10 contestants with the highest aggregate scores will proceed towards the Grand Final. Contestants who stand in places 11th – 20th after Round 2 will compete for the Plate Trophy. The two qualifying rounds will be held in the same city and venue. The locations are: Delhi (Groups A and B); Goa (Group C); Bangalore (Groups D and E) and Pune (Group F). The Plate Trophy and Grand Final will be organised in Kolkata. There will be 2 sets of judges for Rounds 1 and 2, for the Plate Trophy and for the Grand Final. One set of judges will be marking on the technical and production elements and the other set of judges will be marking on the presentation, taste, flavour and culinary ability.
“To be human is to be hospitable. Food is also a medicine. It is also a unifier. Living together, cooking together is a great experience, a lifeskill and about learning of cultures. Also, how plastic use in kitchens can be eliminated will send a great message back with the participating students and what we can do about it as a society,” said the speakers at the inaugural ceremony. So, wait for the YCO 2020 champ!
