KazanForum to Host Young Chefs International
KazanForum to Host Young Chefs International
23 April
The third Yunus Akhmetzyanov International Tournament of Young Chefs will take place as part of the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” from 13 to 15 May, welcoming aspiring culinary professionals aged between 16 and 25. Young chefs from 18 countries: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, the UAE, Qatar, Senegal, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have already confirmed their participation, with representatives from Turkmenistan and Jordan taking part in the competition for the first time.
This year’s Tournament will revolve around a new feature: the so called “black box” format, with the participants learning a set of food products they’ll have to work with only right before the start of the competition. This way, the young professionals will get the chance to demonstrate their technical skills, quick thinking, and ability to work with unfamiliar ingredients under time pressure.
The visitors of the Tournament will get to watch the young chefs at work and sample cuisines from the Islamic world as bento boxes. The dishes will be prepared by Kazan restaurants using authentic recipes of the participants. The Festival programme will present culinary fares from Tatarstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Lebanon.
Zufar Gayazov, the Tournament Organiser and President of the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of the Republic of Tatarstan, emphasises the project’s significance for regional gastronomy: “The Tournament has extended beyond the scope of a simple local event for Kazan and Tatarstan a long time ago. Today, it serves as a valid international platform, attracting chefs and jury members from OIC member states. The Tournament provides our regional teams with the opportunity to showcase Tatar and Russian cuisine on a par with the culinary traditions of other nations. In turn, it also acts as a long term tool for putting Tatarstan on the international gastronomic map.”
Dilbar Sadykova, the Tournament’s Co-organiser and Chairwoman of the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, describes the Tournament as a unique platform with the cuisine standing in for a tool of global dialogue: “Such an exchange of best practices and cultural values presents an invaluable way for strengthening international relations. It also affords Tatarstan an opportunity to show the world our receptive and capable younger generation that is ready to promote the Region and its cuisine across the global stage.”
At the end of each day, a festival of Eastern cultures will welcome all participants and guests of the Tournament, with a variety of events—masterclasses, lectures, as well as musical and dance performances—showcasing the rich cultural diversity of peoples comprising the Islamic world.
Registration for the Event is available through the link: https://reg.kazanforum.ru/ru/registration. Registration is open until 30 April 2026.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
See you at KazanForum 2026!
The tournament is organised by the Restaurateurs and Hoteliers Association of the Republic of Tatarstan, the KazanForum Organising Committee, jointly with the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World". The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
This year’s Tournament will revolve around a new feature: the so called “black box” format, with the participants learning a set of food products they’ll have to work with only right before the start of the competition. This way, the young professionals will get the chance to demonstrate their technical skills, quick thinking, and ability to work with unfamiliar ingredients under time pressure.
The visitors of the Tournament will get to watch the young chefs at work and sample cuisines from the Islamic world as bento boxes. The dishes will be prepared by Kazan restaurants using authentic recipes of the participants. The Festival programme will present culinary fares from Tatarstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Lebanon.
Zufar Gayazov, the Tournament Organiser and President of the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of the Republic of Tatarstan, emphasises the project’s significance for regional gastronomy: “The Tournament has extended beyond the scope of a simple local event for Kazan and Tatarstan a long time ago. Today, it serves as a valid international platform, attracting chefs and jury members from OIC member states. The Tournament provides our regional teams with the opportunity to showcase Tatar and Russian cuisine on a par with the culinary traditions of other nations. In turn, it also acts as a long term tool for putting Tatarstan on the international gastronomic map.”
Dilbar Sadykova, the Tournament’s Co-organiser and Chairwoman of the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, describes the Tournament as a unique platform with the cuisine standing in for a tool of global dialogue: “Such an exchange of best practices and cultural values presents an invaluable way for strengthening international relations. It also affords Tatarstan an opportunity to show the world our receptive and capable younger generation that is ready to promote the Region and its cuisine across the global stage.”
At the end of each day, a festival of Eastern cultures will welcome all participants and guests of the Tournament, with a variety of events—masterclasses, lectures, as well as musical and dance performances—showcasing the rich cultural diversity of peoples comprising the Islamic world.
Registration for the Event is available through the link: https://reg.kazanforum.ru/ru/registration. Registration is open until 30 April 2026.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
See you at KazanForum 2026!
The tournament is organised by the Restaurateurs and Hoteliers Association of the Republic of Tatarstan, the KazanForum Organising Committee, jointly with the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World". The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
