The 9th World Food Competition, organized by the Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management (GNIHM)—a JIS Group Educational Initiative—concluded with grandeur, celebrating global culinary excellence. Held at the GNIHM campus, this prestigious three-day event brought together 160 chefs from 40 countries, competing across multiple categories, including:
= International Culinary Competition
= International Fruit Carving Competition
= International Mixology Competition
= International Cake Icing Competition
SLITHM’s performance
The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM) made a strong impact at the competition, securing several accolades across multiple categories:
= Cake Icing Competition – Winner: Ms. Rashmi Randika (Certificate Level Pastry & Bakery Class)
= Fruit Carving Competition – 1st Runner-up: Ms. Upeka Ekanayake (Professional Cookery Intermediate Batch No: 240)
= Mixology Competition – 2nd Runner-up: Mr. Chandula Illesinghe (Management 18)
= Chef Competition – Winner: Ms. Anuradha Prasadini (Management 18 Batch)
The judging panel
The competition featured an esteemed panel of judges, including some of the most revered names in the culinary world:
Indian Culinary Experts: Sanjeev Kapoor, Kunal Kapur, Ajay Chopra, and Parvinder Singh Bali
International Chefs: Annanchai Suttision (Thailand) and Lesley Jacob (South Africa)
Their expertise and discerning evaluations elevated the competition to an exceptional standard, ensuring that only the finest talents were recognized.
Global culinary champions
The competition’s top honours were awarded to the following outstanding chefs:
= Best Chef (Culinary Competition): Borodina Viktoria, Russia
= Best Cake Icing Chef: Nagoda Vithanage Rashmi Randika, Sri Lanka
= Best Fruit Carving Chef: Santa Maya Lumbanreja, Indonesia
= Best Mixology Chef: Yanish Bandhoo, Mauritius
The three-day event was more than just a competition; it was a showcase of remarkable craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation, reaffirming its status as a premier global gastronomic event. Participants not only demonstrated technical prowess but also embraced sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of ethical and responsible approaches in the food industry.
The competition also featured live cooking demonstrations and master classes conducted by culinary professionals, offering valuable insights and knowledge. These sessions provided students and participants with a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from some of the finest culinary minds.
Felicitation ceremony
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, recognizing the outstanding efforts of all contestants. It not only celebrated global flavours but also fostered cross-cultural exchanges, reinforcing Kolkata’s position as a significant hub for culinary innovation and talent. Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director, JIS Group, expressed his pride in the competition’s success:
“The 9th World Food Competition has once again set a benchmark in global culinary excellence. Witnessing such extraordinary talent from across the world is truly inspiring. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished judges and mentors who have made this competition an enriching experience. Congratulations to all the participants for their dedication and remarkable performances.”
SLITHM’s commitment to culinary excellence
The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM) remains committed to nurturing young talent by instilling culinary awareness, values, and cultural exchange. Competitions like these provide a valuable platform for students to reflect on the relevance of culinary arts in contemporary society, internalizing principles of unity and excellence.
The 9th World Food Competition 2025 was a true testament to the power of culinary artistry, innovation, and international collaboration, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
