Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition recognizes top culinary talent

Golden Chefs’ Hat Junior Competition winners

Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition (Professional) winners 

Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka, relaunched the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition this year – an island wide culinary competition focused on developing up-and-coming culinary talent in the hospitality industry.

Nestlé Professional also collaborated with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association and Chefs Guild of Lanka to launch the Junior Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition for the very first time – providing culinary students in the hospitality industry with a platform to showcase their talents and skills, while fostering the next generation of culinary experts. 

The regional rounds, held across all nine provinces of the country, brought together 18 finalists from both the Professional category and the newly introduced Junior category, to compete in the Grand Finale at the Culinary Art Food Expo.

The winners of the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition 2025 were awarded at an event held on 15th June at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, with the participation of Chief Guest, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Dr. Siri Walt; Head of Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit, Nestlé S.A., Reinhold Jakobi; Regional Business Head - Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Asia, Oceania and Africa Region, Jeroen Pluijmers; Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region, Saurabh Makhija; Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, Chef Gerard Mendis and President of the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, Patrick Pereira.

Bernie Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka said, “The hospitality industry plays a vital role in supporting the transition from stability to growth in the Sri Lankan economy. Nestlé Lanka is honoured to play a part in uplifting the industry through the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition.” Chef Gerard Mendis, Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka reflected, “We’re proud to have partnered with Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka on this inspiring initiative - creating a platform where the culinary talent in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry can truly thrive. It’s a celebration of skill, passion, and potential, giving chefs the opportunity to shine on a grander stage and elevate their craft to new heights”.