Hyderabad, February 3, 2026: The United World of Young Chefs (UWYC) International Food Festival was held on Monday till late night at The Glass Onion, Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
Seven participants from the regional round of the IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026 cooked and showcased their respective countries’ traditional dishes, much to the delight of over 200 invited guests. The gathering included hoteliers, culinary experts, government officials, and tourism professionals. The event was marked by a spirit of camaraderie, cultural exchange, and culinary excellence.
Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Speaking at the event, he said that Hyderabad was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2019, recognised for its rich culinary heritage that blends Kakatiya, Mughal, Turkish, and local Telugu influences. The city is globally renowned for iconic dishes such as Biryani, Kebabs, and Haleem, and for promoting sustainable food systems, cultural exchange, and culinary traditions.
He added that Hyderabad was the only city in India to hold this distinction for a long time, until Lucknow was recognised recently.
Highlighting the importance of cuisine in tourism, Mr. Ranjan said that the Government of Telangana has launched India’s first-ever Culinary Experiential Tourism Accelerator (TCETA). Supported by the state government and strategic partners, the initiative aims to promote regional cuisine as a global tourism driver by empowering rural and women entrepreneurs, connecting them with investors, and showcasing the authentic food heritage of Telangana. He also complimented IIHM for choosing Hyderabad, a city with a rich culinary tradition, as a key host destination.
The participants of the food festival too part in the first round of the 12th edition of the IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026.
Six regional rounds will be conducted across five cities—Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, Bengaluru, and Pune—from February 2 to February 6, 2026. The grand finale will be held in Kolkata on February 6, 2026, where the winner will receive a cash prize of ₹15 lakh.
The IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026 is the world’s largest congregation of student chefs, bringing together young culinary talent from 50 countries.