Student delegates from Sweden, Portugal, Jordan, the Philippines, India, Uganda and Nepal, participating in the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026, were formally welcomed by Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte. The interaction highlighted Goa’s growing engagement with global culinary and cultural platforms.
As a symbolic gesture of friendship and international goodwill, the delegates presented their respective national flags to the Hon’ble Minister, reflecting the spirit of cultural exchange and culinary diplomacy that underpins the Young Chef Olympiad.
The interaction took place on the sidelines of YCO 2026, which opened in Bengaluru with a grand inaugural ceremony featuring global participation and culinary showcases. With young chefs and mentors from over 40 countries converging in India, the Olympiad has established itself as one of the world’s largest platforms for emerging culinary talent, fostering people-to-people connections through food, culture and hospitality.
Welcoming the international delegates, Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte stated, “Such global engagements align closely with Goa’s vision of positioning tourism as a bridge between cultures and communities. Goa’s approach to tourism goes beyond destinations and experiences, and is increasingly rooted in meaningful exchanges that promote understanding, mutual respect and long-term relationships between nations. Culinary traditions, much like travel, have the power to transcend borders and bring people together through shared experiences. Platforms such as the Young Chef Olympiad reinforce India’s role as a host nation for global cultural and knowledge exchanges, while providing young professionals an opportunity to engage with diverse cuisines, traditions and perspectives, it helps nurture a new generation of hospitality leaders who are globally aware, culturally sensitive and rooted in values of collaboration and respect.”
The delegates expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and the opportunity to engage with Goa’s tourism leadership, noting that the exchange of national flags symbolised unity through diversity.
Conceived in India and now recognised globally, the Young Chef Olympiad 2026 continues to bring together culture, cuisine and camaraderie. As the competition progresses across multiple days and cities, the interaction between international delegates and Indian tourism leadership underscores a shared commitment to promoting cultural exchange through hospitality and positioning food as a universal language that connects nations beyond borders.
