Valluru Kranthi, IAS, MD–TGTDC, graces 12th International Young Chef Olympiad 2026, the world’s largest cooking competition for culinary students
- Team Stay Featured
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Ms. Valluru Kranthi, IAS, Managing Director of the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC), attended the 12th edition of the International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026, the world’s largest culinary competition for student chefs, held at the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) campus in Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
She was accompanied by Mr. J. Earnest Immanuel, Director, IIHM Hyderabad. During her visit, Ms. Kranthi toured the campus, reviewed dishes prepared by the participating chefs, and interacted with contestants from multiple countries, including Ms. Ananya Madaan, a New Delhi–born student representing Switzerland. Participants in the Hyderabad regional round hailed from France, Scotland, Belarus, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Greece, Nigeria, Ireland, and Switzerland.
Addressing the media, Ms. Valluru Kranthi emphasized that culinary tourism is a critical pillar of the tourism ecosystem, noting Telangana’s significant potential to emerge as a global culinary destination. She highlighted that Telangana Tourism has launched India’s first Culinary Experiential Tourism Accelerator, an initiative aimed at empowering rural and women entrepreneurs.
“This accelerator will nurture rural entrepreneurs and connect them with global investors, chefs, and innovation networks. Telangana is home to a rich culinary legacy, yet several regional cuisines have faded over time. Through this initiative, we aim to revive forgotten food traditions and showcase Telangana’s native cuisine on a global platform,” she said.
Ms. Kranthi also underscored Hyderabad’s unique distinction as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, stating that Telangana Tourism plans to further leverage this recognition through curated food festivals and by identifying and promoting home chefs across the state.
Speaking on homestays, she noted that the Government of Telangana has permitted homestays and invited applications from interested individuals.“While the initial response has been encouraging, it remains below potential. We are moving towards an online registration system for homestays. Our objective is to ensure that each of the top ten tourist destinations in Telangana has at least 50 to 100 registered homestays. Building awareness around government-approved homestays is essential,” she added.
Ms. Kranthi also commended IIHM for selecting Hyderabad as a regional host city for the prestigious Olympiad.
The regional round of the Young Chef Olympiad 2026 is currently underway in Hyderabad as part of a multi-city competition being conducted across Kolkata, Goa, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune from February 1 to February 6, 2026. The grand finale will be held in Kolkata on February 6, with the winner receiving a cash prize of ₹15 lakh.
Now in its 12th year, the Young Chef Olympiad has grown into the world’s largest congregation of student chefs, bringing together culinary talent from over 50 countries. Conceived in India and celebrated globally, YCO has evolved into a powerful platform for culinary diplomacy, education, and cultural exchange, positioning food as a unifying force among future hospitality leaders.
The theme for YCO 2026, “Preserving the World’s Global Culinary Heritage through AI,” reflects the Olympiad’s evolution into a global learning ecosystem where technology, ethics, and human creativity intersect.
During the Hyderabad round, participants prepared a main course and a dessert inspired by their national culinary heritage. The dishes were evaluated by a distinguished jury of culinary experts. Following the conclusion of all regional rounds, finalists will compete in the grand finale in Kolkata on February 6, 2026.