IGCAT YOUNG CHEF AWARDS
Celebrating Food Heritage While
Creating Tomorrow’s Cuisine
European Young Chef Award 2026
Americas Young Chef Award 2026
Americas Young Chef Finalists 2026
Peru
Honduras
Costa Rica
Manabí Awarded 2026
First Coast nominated 2031
Martinique Candidate 2030
Bahamas
What is the IGCAT Young Chef Award
These competitions organized by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) are designed to empower emerging chefs to become ambassadors for their region’s food heritage and sustainable gastronomy.
2026 Americas Competition Highlights
The 2026 edition of the Americas Young Chef Award took place in Manabí, World Region of Gastronomy awarded 2026, from 8 to 12 October 2026. This edition brought together talented young chefs from across the continent to celebrate creativity, sustainability, and regional food heritage through innovative reinterpretations of traditional dishes.
Organised by IGCAT with the support of Fundación FUEGOS and CAF, and hosted by:
News & Updates
Hedda Lund Børresen represents Trondheim-Trøndelag at the 2026 European Young Chef Award
“My expectations for the European Young Chef Award 2026 are to meet young chefs who share the same passion and excitement for their regions as
Marios Spyridis brings the flavours of South Aegean to the 2026 European Young Chef Award
“Participating in the European Young Chef Award is an experience I never imagined I would have at this stage of my journey. It is an
Dennys Sarzana brings the flavours of Sicily to the 2026 European Young Chef Award
“Participating in the European Young Chef Award 2026 represents an extraordinary opportunity to challenge myself, exchange ideas with talented young chefs from across Europe, and