As the curtains came down on YCO 2026, the Olympiad stood revealed as far more than a contest. With the theme “Preserving the World’s Global Culinary Heritage through AI,” Enri Cuedari, a young chef from Instituti Kulinari Neranxi in Albania, won the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026 among 50 countries that participated in the competition this year.
Media Coverage —
EDUCATION 21 – Enri Cuedari from Albania wins the IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026
SMEstreet – Albania wins gold at IIHM young chef olympiad 2026 in Kolkata https://smestreet.in/sectors/albania-wins-gold-at-iihm-young-chef-olympiad-2026-in-kolkata-11093589
ATTA Travel – Grand Hotel Djibloho Culinary School Highlights National Talent at Young Chef Olympiad 2026
Business Mirror — Filipino student-chef joins culinary Olympiad in India
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/02/04/filipino-student-chef-joins-culinary-olympiad-in-india
