Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Shri Rohan A Khaunte welcomes International Young Chef Olympiad Delegates in a gesture of culinary spirit
Panjim, 3rd February 2026 – Student delegates representing 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, in an interaction that shows Goa’s growing engagement with global culinary and cultural platforms. The delegates presented their respective national flags to the Hon’ble Minister as a symbolic gesture of friendship, cultural exchange and international goodwill, reflecting the spirit of culinary diplomacy that defines the Young Chef Olympiad.
The interaction took place on the sidelines of YCO 2026, which opened in Bengaluru with a grand inaugural ceremony marked by global participation, culinary showcases and a shared commitment to celebrating culinary heritage through innovation. With young chefs and mentors from over 40 countries converging in India for one of the world’s largest congregations of emerging culinary talent, the Olympiad has emerged as a powerful platform for 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 from Sweden, Portugal, Jordan, the Philippines, India, Uganda and Nepal expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome and the opportunity to engage with Goa’s tourism leadership, noting that the gesture of presenting their national flags symbolised unity through diversity.
The Young Chef Olympiad 2026, conceived in India and now recognised as a global culinary movement, continues to serve as a platform where culture, cuisine and camaraderie converge. As the competition unfolds across multiple days and cities, the engagement between international delegates and Indian tourism leadership reinforces the shared commitment to promoting cultural exchange through hospitality, positioning food as a universal language that connects nations beyond borders.
