When the world of food met at IIHM Kolkata, for a better world
50 Young Chef Olympians wore their national dress, cooked their national dish but brought the world together on the same plate; ten Grand Finalists, and Plate finalists of YCO 25 also announced but everyone is a clear winner
KOLKATA, India, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- No where else will one find Bhutan next to Ethiopia, or India next to South Korea, their culinary flavours wafting around in a truly global environment, with countries like Australia, Botswana close by, but at the food stalls arena of the United World of Young Chefs — a non-competitive event, at the IIHM Global Campus in Kolkata, a major event of the Young Chef Olympiad, the largest congregation of young chefs in the world, the only such coming together of 50 chefs from fifty countries, together, literally cooking up a culinary storm of unity, solidarity, sustainability and togetherness.
UWYC is a celebration of friendship and camaraderie, offering Young Chef Olympians a chance to experience solidarity through culinary arts amidst the intense competition
Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman IIHM & Chairman YCO, told the media, "This is absolutely unique. 50 countries put their best foot forward and their best food forward, in the same place, wearing their national attire with pride. This is culinary nationalism flavoured with unity as an essence of mankind. This is beyond just food, but food is indeed the X factor, which brings so many nations across the world in this beautiful Young Chef's movement, a movement of harmony."
"Dishes of participating countries in respective host cities create awareness and break cultural barriers through the universal language of food," said Prof. David Foskett OBE and Chairman of the Jury of YCO.
At the Global Campus of the IIHM on Wednesday night, culinary art was blended with the colourful national attire worn by the young student chefs. Thus, a Hanbok from South Korea, Gho (for men) from Bhutan, a Shamma from Ethiopia and a Thobe from Saudi Arabia were dresses the chefs proudly wore — quite literally wearing their identity and pride, on their sleeves.
This year's edition introduced an exciting twist, where the national dishes were open to public vote, allowing the world to determine the most popular national dish.
Meanwhile, as the evening drew a close, the moment of reckoning arrived as the selection of teams for the Grand Finale, the Plate Trophy and the Dr. Suborno Bose challenge was announced based on their rankings after their Round one competition.
The top ten countries, who were the Grand Finalists, will display their culinary skills for the Golden Toque to be presented to the Champion; those placed between 11 and 20 qualified to compete for the Plate Trophy; while the remaining countries were grouped in pairs and competed, as collaborators, for the Dr. Suborno Bose Culinary International Challenge today, February 6.
These results announced on Wednesday, February 5, evening saw the following Young Chef Olympians becoming the Grand Finalists: Abdulaziz Saleh Bedeiry, Saudi Arabia; Syed Aftab Ali, Uganda; Kamran Taylor, England; Yves Gabriel C Po, Philippines; George Mutwiri Liech, Kenya; Shirin Moosaee, Iran; Lim Qi Yi, Malaysia; Alicia Dzithendo Muvhirwa, South Africa; Ozodbek Odilov, Uzbekistan; and Arsen Armenakyan, Armenia.
Countries in the plate finals are Nepal, France, Bhutan, Mexico, Wales, Nigeria, Albania, Sweden, Azerbaijan and South Korea.
The Dr. Suborno Bose Culinary International Challenge prize, which the remaining 28 nations will compete for, is actually a flagship competition of culinary collaboration, unlikely to be witnessed anywhere else globally. Paired into 14 groups, two countries with diverse culinary cultures had their representatives cooking together to win the prize. If food brings countries together, this competition, in the Young Chef Olympiad, is a visible manifestation of it.
Those who made it to the Grand Finals were elated. Young Chef Olympian Kamran Taylor of England said, "I'm very happy to be in the top ten. I didn't expect it but am looking forward to the Grand Finale and wishing everyone in England as well."
Shirin Moosaee from Iran chipped in excitedly, "I'm really excited, very nervous about it, but very happy and excited about it, and thank God I was successful."
Alicia Dzithendo Muvhirwa of South Africa exuded confidence and said, "I'm happy, of course, but am confident of my talent." She added, laughing, "Watch out for South Africa."
The Chairman of the Grand Jury, David Foskett, underlined the uniqueness and speciality of the judging process: "The judging process is very thorough, very ethical and based on meritocracy. The ability and skill of each competitor and how they have performed on the day matters. I cannot stress enough how ethical YCO judges are."
The business end of the YCO began today (Feb 6) with the Dr. Suborno Bose Challenge competition. The Plate Finals will be held on Feb 7 and the Grand Finale and closing ceremony on Feb 8.
But this week is and will be as much about the Young Chef Olympiads as about the students of IIHM, the judges, the organising team of the YCO and the parents and family of their students.
Each one of them and everyone collectively have the brought the world together, and on the same plate.
About IIHM
The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) is a leading hospitality education institution in India, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in hospitality and hotel management. The institute has campuses in several cities in India and abroad, as well as partnerships with leading hospitality institutions worldwide. IIHM has a strong commitment to promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the hospitality industry and has been recognised as one of India's best hospitality education institutions.
Contact Details:
Mr. Abdullah AhmedChief Operating Office IIHM Hotel School GroupAbdullah.ahmed@iihm.ac.in Phone No: 011-43204700
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2614474/IIHM_Kolkata.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2569189/5154714/IIHM_Logo.jpg
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/when-the-world-of-food-met-at-iihm-kolkata-for-a-better-world-302370262.html
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
EBIN New York Announces Allure Burns as the Face of EBIN
NEW YORK, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EBIN New York, a leading beauty and haircare brand known for its performance-driven styling products, proudly announces its newest campaign: The Face of EBIN, featuring model, influencer, and creative force Allure Burns as the inaugural face of the brand. Burns rose to national attention after winning "Fashion Moment," a fashion-forward reality competition series aired on The CW Network. Produced by 1stKlassEntertainmentInc in collaboration with House of Talent PA and EBIN New York, the series spotlighted emerging tastemakers across beauty, fashion, and culture. With her striking presence, relatable charm, and unapologetic authenticity, Allure became a standout—not only on the show but as a rising voice in the beauty space. As the Face of EBIN, Allure will be featured in a cross-platform campaign that highlights the brand's top-performing products, including the Wonder Lace Bond, 24-Hour Edge Tamer, and more. Consumers can expect engaging digital content, social storytelling, retail activations, and behind-the-scenes moments—all designed to inspire confidence and creativity. "This campaign feels personal," said Seun Bolodeoku, Senior Marketing Manager at EBIN New York. "I had the pleasure of attending the launch event, and what struck me most wasn't just Allure's star power—it was how grounded she is. She carries herself with the kind of confidence that makes space for others. She's not here to fit into a mold—she's here to show up fully, and that energy aligns with everything we stand for at EBIN." Allure's journey from emerging talent to becoming the face of a national brand reflects the essence of EBIN's mission—to celebrate bold self-expression and give voice to the beauty consumer who doesn't wait for permission to be seen. Through this campaign, EBIN New York continues to champion visibility, authenticity, and representation in the beauty and haircare space. Creative Credits Photography: Darnell Canty, Sharif Fennell Makeup: Cionnee Victoria To learn more, visit or follow @ebin_newyork on Instagram and TikTok. Media ContactHouse of Talent PA – houseoftalentpa@ – 1stklassentertainment@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE EBIN New York
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
PETER PIPER PIZZA UNVEILS NEXT-LEVEL FUN WITH NEW PETER PIPER PLAY PARKS
Guests can celebrate the new active play concept with free all-day admission June 24 PHOENIX, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Peter Piper Pizza, the ultimate destination for "food, family and fun," is bringing Peter Piper Play Parks to 25 select Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico, locations, along with all-new trampoline-only zones at six additional locations in the region. To celebrate, Peter Piper Pizza invites all guests to enjoy free, all-day Play Park access on June 24, exclusively available via the Peter Piper Pizza app. Peter Piper Play Parks offer a dynamic, interactive environment for play and adventure that goes beyond traditional arcade entertainment, specially designed for kids under 56 inches. The trampoline zones and Play Parks offer a fun, supervised space where kids can climb, jump and explore exciting challenges that build agility, coordination and confidence. "Our new Peter Piper Play Parks are an exciting addition that delivers exactly what parents are looking for — safe, engaging spaces where kids can jump, play and stay active," said Genaro Perez, chief marketing officer at Peter Piper Pizza. "Designed specifically for younger guests, this space allows smaller kids to have fun freely, giving parents peace of mind. It's perfect for indoor family fun this summer, when Arizona and New Mexico's desert heat is at its peak." Peter Piper Play Parks are now open, with all-day, unlimited play starting at just $10 Monday through Thursday and $12-$15 Friday through Sunday. Guests with a Summer Pass can unlock even more value with exclusive discounts on Peter Piper Play Park admission, including 20% off for Fun Pass holders, 30% off for Big Fun Pass holders and 50% off for Mega Fun Pass holders. For more information, visit To stay up to date on the latest Peter Piper Pizza news, follow @peterpiperpizza on Instagram and Facebook. About Peter Piper, LLCPeter Piper, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CEC Entertainment, LLC, was founded in Glendale, Arizona, in 1973. Peter Piper Pizza features dining, entertainment and carryout with a neighborhood pizzeria feel and "the fun is baked in" culture across its more than 120 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. Peter Piper Pizza takes pride in delivering made-from-scratch pizza dough every day and providing the highest quality food and fun that reconnects family and friends. With the latest technology and games, ever-popular weekday all-you-can-eat lunch buffets and beer for adults, Peter Piper Pizza appeals to parents and kids alike. Peter Piper Pizza supports children's education through fundraising events and gives more than $600,000 annually to schools, hospitals and nonprofits that focus on children's education and development. Peter Piper Pizza was named the most-loved consumer brand in Arizona, according to a study conducted by OnDeck in 2023. For more information, visit Media Contact:Nicole Bergquistnicole@ 817-329-3257 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Peter Piper Pizza Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Thousands and Wildcard Announce $9M Fundraise Co-Led by Arbitrum Gaming Ventures and Paradigm
MCKINNEY, Texas, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands, a revolutionary web3 protocol that transforms word-of-mouth marketing into a universal attribution infrastructure - together with sister company The Wildcard Alliance - today announced a joint $9 million fundraising round co-led by Arbitrum Gaming Ventures and Paradigm. The companies, founded by co-CEOs Paul and Katy Drake Bettner whose past work includes Words With Friends, Lucky's Tale, and Age of Empires, have secured $6.5 million to date and expect to close the remaining funding over the next 60 days. This new funding builds on the companies' $46 million Series A raised in 2022, and will be used to accelerate development of their integrated ecosystem of products, utilizing the Thousands protocol and platform to unlock new channels of creator-centric user acquisition and help launch their own upcoming game, Wildcard. "It's simple," said Paul Bettner, co-CEO. "Wildcard only succeeds if its creators and community succeed. So we need a better way to reward these incredible contributors who drive immense value to the game. Thousands gives us the on-chain 'rails' to solve this problem, to record and reward user acquisition and conversion at every step of the funnel." "It's simple," said Paul Bettner, co-CEO. "Wildcard needed a better way to reward the incredible contributors who drive immense value to the game – the creators, the influencers, the super fans. Thousands gives us the on-chain 'rails' to solve this problem, to record and reward user acquisition and conversion at every step of the funnel." The synergy between Wildcard and Thousands has already demonstrated explosive growth. The Thousands network recorded over $800,000 in revenue in May 2025 alone, with an average revenue-per-stream of $50k, average viewer-to-payer conversion of 77%, and a new all-time-high revenue record at $134k — metrics that far exceed industry standards. The Thousands network addresses an untapped, trillion dollar word-of-mouth economy, by making influence and attribution transparent, programmable, and incentive-aligned. The Thousands network enables creators and communities to earn instantly when their content drives conversions, while IP owners benefit from significantly lower customer acquisition costs compared to traditional channels. "Thousands is redefining how games and content reach audiences," said Rick Johanson, Founding Partner at Arbitrum Gaming Ventures. "Their web-native streaming layer – think Twitch meets WalletConnect – allows every connected viewer to become an active participant in an on-chain economy, transforming spectators into engaged users." "We believe in this game and we believe in this team," said Dave White, Research Partner at Paradigm. "Paul, Kate, and team have created one of the most eagerly anticipated games in crypto and we're very excited for what comes next." Since their initial funding, both platforms have achieved significant milestones. Wildcard was recently approved for release on Steam, where the 100k+ community are now playtesting Alpha builds of the game weekly, in preparation for Wildcard's Early Access release later this year. These playtests are broadcast on several times a week, helping to demonstrate the Thousands' network's ability to sustain engagement and monetization, with an average revenue _per viewer_ of $141 dollars. "Thousands doesn't feel like streaming. It's no longer a one-way street.", said Payton Kaleiwahea, content creator and founder of WolvesDAO, "Fans and creators are interacting; you're not just watching the game. You're connected to it. You're inside it. With Thousands, being there matters, and that changes everything." About The Wildcard Alliance and Thousands The Wildcard Alliance and Thousands are building the future of interactive entertainment, powered by communities. Founded by industry veterans Paul and Katy Drake Bettner, the companies are building disruptive new products at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, beloved IP, and fun. The Wildcard Alliance previously raised $46 million in 2022 from investors including Paradigm, Griffin Gaming Partners, and Sabrina Hahn. Learn more at and Media Contact:Leah Schultzpress@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Wildcard Alliance, Inc.
