February 2018

Student Jack reaches final of International Culinary Olympiad in India

Read time: approx 1 mins

Culinary Arts Management student Jack Gameson has won ‘Best Vegetarian Creation’ at one of the most prestigious culinary competitions in the world.

Taking place in Kolkata, India, the 2018 Young Chef Olympiad involved over 65 countries from across the globe, from which just 11 contestants were selected to compete for the winning title.

Jack emerged triumphant from an intense cook-off lasting four days under the watchful eyes of judges and over 150 representatives from local and international media stations.

The panel of judges boasted some of the most respected figures in the cheffing industry, including Michelin-starred chef Chris Galvin and celebrity cook Sanjeev Kapoor.

Supported by the Indian Government’s Ministry of Tourism, this is not the first time Jack has had a taste of success at the competition, returning home last year with the title of Best Dessert.

Having also claimed silver at last year’s Las Parades des Chefs and silver and bronze medals in the 2016 Culinary Olympics, Jack had been training hard for the Olympiad since the competition’s launch at London’s Hilton Hotel in November 2017. 

In the run-up to today’s final, Jack was challenged to an International Culinary Symposium, two rounds of head-to-head cooking and a ‘Food Unites the World’ ceremony in which contestants from 50 countries each present a national dish. This morning involved a tense cook off at the International Institute of Hotel Management in Kolkata to determine the overall winners.

“This is by far one of the biggest competitions I have ever seen a College of Food student participate in,” said Dean of UCB’s College of Food Neil Rippington. “We’re very proud of Jack. The overall standard of the competition is incredibly high and it is something he has been practicing for months. He has done so well to achieve this and is a real ambassador for UCB.” 

Back to top