The 10th edition of IIHM presents Young Chef Olympiad, in association with The Telegraph, was inaugurated with a grand and spectacular opening ceremony on January 29 at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. Contestants and their mentors from over 60 countries gathered for the occasion in Delhi before travelling to other Indian cities for the first round that started yesterday. The opening ceremony was also a networking opportunity for the contestants, ahead of the competition, to get introduced to each other and interact with the judges and other mentors. Celebrated names of the culinary world, the YCO team, faculty members and students of the International Institute of Hotel Management all came together to celebrate the beginning of the ongoing week-long pan-India culinary competition. Glimpses.
A book, tracing the history of IIHM YCO, was launched to mark the 10-year journey of the Young Chef Olympiad
“For the 10th anniversary, it is a celebration of youth. The most important people in the room today are the competitors. Friendship, culture, peace and understanding is what this competition is all about. It is a celebration of our respect for one another. This diversity reigns over the world and the richness of learning from one another in such a troubled world… 10 years ago it was the brainchild of Suborno Bose, who had the dream of bringing the world’s youth together through ... culinary arts and this objective has been fulfilled triumphantly,” said professor David Foskett, chairman of the grand jury.
PARTICIPANT AND MENTOR SPEAK
“Last year we received bronze and won silver earlier, this time, we won’t let go of gold. First round is always more challenging because we have to come in the top 10 out of 60 participating countries,” said Sudipta Mazumder, mentor for India’s contestant Lenin Bopanna Ponnachana Naveen. Lenin also had gold on his mind. “We are looking forward to gold this time. Apart from that, I am looking forward to making new friends. Getting to exchange thoughts with (participants from) 60 countries together is a once-in-alifetime opportunity. So, I am looking forward to great networking here,” said Lenin.
“We got an invitation in school and so we decided to participate in this for the first time. It is important that there is a little bit of competition to look forward to for the students to achieve their goals. It is my first time in India and outside of Europe, so I am looking forward to seeing the country a bit, otherwise it is a pity to come so far and not experience the country,” said Karl D’Hooghe, the mentor of Belgian participant Robin Polspoel, a first-timer at YCO. “I am looking forward to learning from others. My stepfather is from this country, so I am looking forward to explore it too,” said Robin.
JUDGE SPEAK
“I am fortunate to be involved in this. Each year it gets bigger. My only suggestion is they should rely on their muscle memory of practising. Something might change during the competition but they have to enjoy the competition and be flexible. It is just one step in the journey. No matter what happens, the journey will continue,” said chef Paul Jervis, a YCO judge.
“I think watching young people come together and learn from each other is what this competition is all about. The more I come here, the more I am surprised how it is done,” said chef Gary Maclean, YCO judge.
MOODS AND MOMENTS
A highlight of the opening ceremony is that most people turn up in their national or traditional attires. Ugochukwu, the mentor for a Nigerian participant, wore the traditional Ankara outfit. Oluwapelumi, who is participating in a competition like this for the first time, wore the traditional iro and buba outfit.“This is worn on special occasions to celebrate ourselves,” said Oluwapelumi.
The oath-taking ceremony by the participants, judges and the jury, in progress.
