Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2025: Recognising Sri Lanka’s culinary talent

Nestlé Lanka Managing Director Bernie Stefan (sixth from left), along with Chefs Guild of Lanka Chairman Chef Gerard Mendis (centre), Sri Lanka Hotel Schools Graduates Association President Patrick Pereira (fourth from right) and Nestlé Lanka Nestlé Professional Assistant Director Maduranga Perera at the signing of the MoU, along with other officials 

• Nestlé Professional partners with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association

Nestlé Professional, the B2B arm of Nestlé Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association to collaborate in organising the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2025 – an island wide culinary competition aimed at developing up-and-coming culinary talent in the hospitality industry.

The Chefs Guild of Lanka would support in facilitating the Professional category of the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2025, conducting nine regional contests across the island. The regional rounds have witnessed a participation of over 180 talented young chefs from leading hotels in the country thus far, showcasing their culinary prowess. 

Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka also collaborated with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association to launch the Junior Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition for the very first time this year. This competition targets to develop the students of the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka and foster the next generation of culinary experts. With the participation of over 300 students in the hospitality sector, the regional rounds of the junior competition will be conducted among prominent Hotel Schools nationwide, providing a platform to nurture Sri Lanka’s promising young culinary talent. 

The finalists of the regional rounds from the main competition and junior competition will compete in the Grand Finale set to take place on 14 June at the Culinary Art Food Expo 2025 – for which Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka is the Platinum sponsor.

Nestlé Lanka Managing Director Bernie Stefan commented, “Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry is a key driver of the economy. As an organisation committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of lives, we are delighted to collaborate with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association to nurture and develop young and budding chefs in Sri Lanka through this initiative. This competition also strongly reflects the spirit of our Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, which is dedicated to empowering the youth with the skills and hands-on experiences they need to thrive in the workforce and contribute to the community. The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition serves as an excellent platform to not only highlight our country’s culinary talent but also uplift the hospitality sector.”

Sharing his thoughts, Chefs Guild of Lanka Chairman Chef Gerard Mendis said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Nestlé Professional in this important endeavour, as it provides Sri Lanka’s young culinary talent a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and gain recognition on a national platform. We look forward to witnessing the creativity and passion of these young chefs as they compete and grow through this competition.”

“The Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association is delighted to be a part of this significant initiative. The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition creates a platform for our students in the hospitality sector to upskill and nurture their talent, fostering the next generation of culinary experts and elevating the standards of the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka,” said Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association President Patrick Pereira.