The 12 th edition of the Young Chef Olympiad 2026 (YCO26) recently concluded in Kolkata,
India, with Sri Lanka proudly claiming the Bronze trophy at this prestigious global culinary
competition. The event brought together students from 60 world-class culinary institutions
from around the world, showcasing their talent, creativity, and passion for the culinary arts.
Sri Lanka was represented by the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM), in
partnership with the William Angliss Institute (RTO 3045), Australia, on this international
stage. The competition challenged participants through two intense rounds: first, following
specific recipe cards, and second, creating unique dishes using a basket of provided
ingredients. Each institute sent forth its culinary knights to interpret the ingredients and craft
a winning dish. From the original 60 participants, only 10 competitors advanced to the Grand
Finale, representing countries including Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, England, and host
nation India.

Sri Lanka’s representative, Commercial Cookery student Rumira Piyasiri (CC18), rose to the
occasion with months of rigorous preparation while studying for his Certificate IV in Kitchen
Management (SIT40521). Under the mentorship of Chef Lecturer Imeshika Silva and with the unwavering support of the entire CAHM team, Rumira successfully secured the Bronze
award, placing Sri Lanka among the top three culinary institutions in the world.
CAHM congratulates Young Student Chef Rumira Piyasiri and Chef Lecturer Imeshika Silva
on this outstanding achievement.

The Young Chef Olympiad was not just about cooking. Participants were tested on their
mastery of hygiene, creativity, and their ability to articulate their thought process from
concept to plate. These young chefs represent the future of global hospitality, destined to
lead Michelin-starred kitchens, cater to celebrities and royalty, and even establish their own
restaurants.

Technology also played a key role in the competition, as contestants worked with the
renowned KitchenCut Recipe and Food Costing software designed by Chef John Oliver,
former Executive Chef of the iconic Burj Al Arab. This added a modern dimension to the
competition, preparing students for the tech-driven future of the culinary industry.

The event was overseen by esteemed Chief Judges, including Professor David Foskett and
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, under the visionary leadership of Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman of the
International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), the organizers of the Young Chef
Olympiad. With 60 countries coming together, the competition celebrated cultural diversity
and culinary excellence. Plates were judged by internationally renowned experts from elite culinary schools and luxury hotels, focusing on the blend of science, art, and engineering
reflected in each dish.

The journey of the Young Chef Olympiad can be followed on its official Facebook page at
facebook.com/ycolympiad, while stories of hospitality success from CAHM are available at
facebook.com/lkcahm. Those aspiring to carry culinary trophies in their future are invited to
visit www.cahm.lk or contact 011 7 999 800 for more information.