About
About IIHM Young Chef India 2026
A national culinary competition created to identify and celebrate young culinary talent in India.
The competition begins with an innovative Pan-Indian main-course submission and progresses through practical regional competition and a national Grand Finale.
The competition tests more than cooking ability. Participants are evaluated on originality, recipe development, nutritional understanding, technical skills, creative use of ingredients, hygiene and safety, taste and flavour, presentation and time management.
The competition forms part of the journey towards the IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2027, opening in Hyderabad on 1 February 2027.
Eligibility
Who can enter
- Enrolled in a full-time Undergraduate Degree programme.
- Part-time industry work while studying is permitted.
- Institutional proof of student matriculation is required.
- Signed confirmation of full-time student status is required.
- Postgraduate students are not eligible.
- Age requirement: 18–23 years inclusive on 1 February 2027.
Final eligibility wording, including the age-reference date, is to be confirmed by IIHM before launch.