Tournament of Young Chefs from Islamic Countries Might Become International
Tournament of Young Chefs from Islamic Countries Might Become International
15 May
The Organisers of the Yunus Akhmetzyanov International Tournament of Young Chefs of Islamic Countries expect that it may grow to the scale of the world championship in the future. This was announced by Mikhail Sharipov, Head of the Tournament’s Directorate, at a press conference during the XVI International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”.
On 15 May, a memorandum on personnel management will be signed as part of the Tournament so that establishments do not poach qualified specialists from each other due to shortage and understaffing. “This is what we propose: if a master-chef or a renowned chef from a big city makes an offer to a young talent from a small settlement, the chef undertakes to adopt some technology from there as well or to talk to the young specialist’s employer. And not to take this employee post haste, but only when the personnel reserve has been formed. Thus, we can facilitate the development of rural areas as well as promote the profession itself, including at the international level,” says Mikhail Sharipov.
This year, the competition is being held for the second time. Compared to the first tournament, the geography of participants has become wider. In 2025, representatives from 16 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, and others, are taking part in the Tournament of Young Chefs. Last year, 12 countries were featured among the competitors.
Ragia Mohammed Albalawi, a pastry chef at the Hyatt Place Riyadh Hotel (Saudi Arabia), said that it was the first time she had come to Kazan. She liked the abundance of greenery and the kindness of the locals. According to her, the most important thing in the competition is the exchange of experience between the participants. The Yunus Akhmetzyanov International Tournament of Young Chefs of Islamic Countries is her third competition; the first one she took part in at the age of 12.
The young chefs will have to make three dishes pertaining to their country: an appetiser, a main course, and a dessert, three samples each. Two of these samples will be given to the jury, and one will be set on the presentation table. The jury includes representatives of all countries participating in the Tournament as well as local experts.
Kazan Expo Exhibition Centre serves as the Tournament venue. Everyone will be able to visit the competition by getting a free ticket in the contest’s Telegram channel. Guests and participants of the Forum will be able not only to become witness to the chefs’ skills, but also to try their dishes. The food court of the Tournament will start working at noon. Eight types of cuisines, including Tatar and Russian, will be presented as part of this festival of dishes from the countries of the Islamic world.
The Tournament of Chefs also includes All-Russian competitions in the Junior League: for those who learn the basics of culinary art while studying at designated educational institutions. Last year, six teams took part; this year the number of teams has grown to 18, including representatives of municipal districts of Tatarstan.
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The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, which was granted federal status in 2022 by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, is being held for the 16th time on 14-16 May 2025. The Programme includes 200 events such as a Congress of Ministers of Transport within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Ministers of Culture within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Prosecutors General within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Auditors within the Islamic countries; the world’s largest conference on Islamic finance; conferences on the halal industry; a forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry within the Islamic countries; as well as international exhibitions on economy, trade, and real estate held over 40 thousand sq. m. Representatives from 103 countries registered to participate in 2025. In 2024, the Event gathered more than 20 thousand participants from 87 countries, 87 constituent subjects of the Russian Federation, along with more than 40 diplomatic missions.
On 15 May, a memorandum on personnel management will be signed as part of the Tournament so that establishments do not poach qualified specialists from each other due to shortage and understaffing. “This is what we propose: if a master-chef or a renowned chef from a big city makes an offer to a young talent from a small settlement, the chef undertakes to adopt some technology from there as well or to talk to the young specialist’s employer. And not to take this employee post haste, but only when the personnel reserve has been formed. Thus, we can facilitate the development of rural areas as well as promote the profession itself, including at the international level,” says Mikhail Sharipov.
This year, the competition is being held for the second time. Compared to the first tournament, the geography of participants has become wider. In 2025, representatives from 16 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, and others, are taking part in the Tournament of Young Chefs. Last year, 12 countries were featured among the competitors.
Ragia Mohammed Albalawi, a pastry chef at the Hyatt Place Riyadh Hotel (Saudi Arabia), said that it was the first time she had come to Kazan. She liked the abundance of greenery and the kindness of the locals. According to her, the most important thing in the competition is the exchange of experience between the participants. The Yunus Akhmetzyanov International Tournament of Young Chefs of Islamic Countries is her third competition; the first one she took part in at the age of 12.
The young chefs will have to make three dishes pertaining to their country: an appetiser, a main course, and a dessert, three samples each. Two of these samples will be given to the jury, and one will be set on the presentation table. The jury includes representatives of all countries participating in the Tournament as well as local experts.
Kazan Expo Exhibition Centre serves as the Tournament venue. Everyone will be able to visit the competition by getting a free ticket in the contest’s Telegram channel. Guests and participants of the Forum will be able not only to become witness to the chefs’ skills, but also to try their dishes. The food court of the Tournament will start working at noon. Eight types of cuisines, including Tatar and Russian, will be presented as part of this festival of dishes from the countries of the Islamic world.
The Tournament of Chefs also includes All-Russian competitions in the Junior League: for those who learn the basics of culinary art while studying at designated educational institutions. Last year, six teams took part; this year the number of teams has grown to 18, including representatives of municipal districts of Tatarstan.
***
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, which was granted federal status in 2022 by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, is being held for the 16th time on 14-16 May 2025. The Programme includes 200 events such as a Congress of Ministers of Transport within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Ministers of Culture within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Prosecutors General within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Auditors within the Islamic countries; the world’s largest conference on Islamic finance; conferences on the halal industry; a forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry within the Islamic countries; as well as international exhibitions on economy, trade, and real estate held over 40 thousand sq. m. Representatives from 103 countries registered to participate in 2025. In 2024, the Event gathered more than 20 thousand participants from 87 countries, 87 constituent subjects of the Russian Federation, along with more than 40 diplomatic missions.
