The atmosphere at the IIHM Global Campus on the evening of 4th February was charged with emotion as Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad, formally announced the winners of YCO 2026. What followed was a moment that truly captured the spirit of the Olympiad—cheers of triumph, tears of joy, and quiet moments of disbelief among contestants who had travelled from across the world chasing a shared culinary dream.
As Dr. Bose revealed the names of the Top 10 finalists and Plate Trophy winners, the campus resonated with applause, embraces, and heartfelt celebrations. For some, it was the culmination of years of discipline and sacrifice; for others, a bittersweet pause in an extraordinary journey. Flags were raised, emotions overflowed, and friendships forged across borders stood tall in that defining moment.
Congratulations to the Top 10 Finalists of YCO 2026, who will compete for the coveted YCO Trophy:
Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India, Nepal, England, Sweden, Canada, Albania, and Switzerland.
Plate Trophy Winners, recognised among the next top performers, are:
Mauritius, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Egypt, France, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Scotland, and the USA.
All remaining competitors have been paired live through an automated system, forming dynamic teams that will showcase their creativity in the spirited Dr. Suborno Bose Challenge, featuring exciting wild-card entries.
Team Pairings:
• Uzbekistan & Timor-Leste
• Bulgaria & IIHM Blues
• Saudi Arabia & UAE
• Lesotho & Zimbabwe
• Namibia & Belarus
• Portugal & Botswana
• Cyprus & Colombia
• Uganda & Kenya
A celebration of collaboration, innovation, and culinary diplomacy—where teamwork takes centre stage and creativity knows no borders.
Beyond rankings and trophies, the announcement reflected what YCO truly represents—resilience, cultural exchange, and the courage of young chefs to express identity through food. Dr. Bose’s address reminded the contestants that every participant is already a winner, having stood on the world’s largest student culinary stage.
Today, at IIHM Global Campus, culinary history was not just announced—it was felt, lived, and celebrated.
