Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition recognises Sri Lanka’s culinary talent

Bernie Stefan with Chef Gerard Mendis (Chairman - Chefs Guild of Lanka), Patrick Pereira (President - Sri Lanka Hotel Schools Graduates Association) and Maduranga Perera (Assistant Director - Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Lanka) at the signing of the MOU, along with other officials

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 organizing the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2025.

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 the 14th of June at the Culinary Art Food Expo 2025 – for which Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka is the platinum sponsor.

Bernie Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka commented, “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, Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, 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 Patrick Pereira, President of the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association.