Junior League of the International Young Chefs Competition Kicks Off in Kazan
Junior League of the International Young Chefs Competition Kicks Off in Kazan
13 May
Today, 13 May, the Junior League of the Yunus Akhmetzyanov International Young Chefs Competition got underway as part of the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”. The competition features up-and-coming kitchen professionals aged 16 to 25.
The event is organised by the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of the Republic of Tatarstan together with the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and the 'Russia – Islamic World' Strategic Visioning Group.
“Each year we build on past experience and add new elements to the programme. This year we have changed the participation format. Previously, chefs developed their dishes at home; now we have switched to a "black box" format. In a very short time, they will need to create a concept and a dish. We are keen to see how the chefs from Russia and the Islamic world will surprise us,” said Galina Sharafutdinova, Director General of the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan.
The format involves a set of mandatory ingredients plus some that the chefs do not know about in advance. Contestants will have five minutes to compose their menu. According to Andrey Sakhovsky, Concept Chef of the family restaurant “Skazka” and head judge of the competition, this will showcase their creativity and ability to work with ingredients.
“This year, chefs from 13 countries are taking part, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Azerbaijan and others. The number of participating countries grows each year, both in terms of competitors and judges,” said Andrey Sakhovsky.
In total, 18 countries are represented in the competition. Judges have also travelled from abroad, representing 13 countries.
“Chefs arrive already trained. They are passionate about this and take part in various events. After our competition, many say they are ready to come back. Some return as mentors. According to the rules, the chefs prepare a national meal. Each has their own special touch – their own flavour, texture, colour palette, and so on,” noted Ilnar Gaynutdinov, Head of the Junior League of the International Young Chefs Competition and Brand Chef of Sever Group.
The competition is also an opportunity for experimentation. Adi Miartadi, President of the Indonesian Islamic Chefs Association and a member of the competition's judging panel, expressed his hope that his contestant would blend Indonesian and Tatar culinary cultures and original ideas into a single dish.
“I hope that relations between Indonesia and Tatarstan will continue to develop, strengthening economic co‑operation, including halal trade, serving as a step towards making Indonesia a strategic partner within the framework of the Forum, and expanding diplomatic ties,” said Adi Miartadi.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: the International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Изге Болгар җыены” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
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.
The event is organised by the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of the Republic of Tatarstan together with the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and the 'Russia – Islamic World' Strategic Visioning Group.
“Each year we build on past experience and add new elements to the programme. This year we have changed the participation format. Previously, chefs developed their dishes at home; now we have switched to a "black box" format. In a very short time, they will need to create a concept and a dish. We are keen to see how the chefs from Russia and the Islamic world will surprise us,” said Galina Sharafutdinova, Director General of the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan.
The format involves a set of mandatory ingredients plus some that the chefs do not know about in advance. Contestants will have five minutes to compose their menu. According to Andrey Sakhovsky, Concept Chef of the family restaurant “Skazka” and head judge of the competition, this will showcase their creativity and ability to work with ingredients.
“This year, chefs from 13 countries are taking part, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Azerbaijan and others. The number of participating countries grows each year, both in terms of competitors and judges,” said Andrey Sakhovsky.
In total, 18 countries are represented in the competition. Judges have also travelled from abroad, representing 13 countries.
“Chefs arrive already trained. They are passionate about this and take part in various events. After our competition, many say they are ready to come back. Some return as mentors. According to the rules, the chefs prepare a national meal. Each has their own special touch – their own flavour, texture, colour palette, and so on,” noted Ilnar Gaynutdinov, Head of the Junior League of the International Young Chefs Competition and Brand Chef of Sever Group.
The competition is also an opportunity for experimentation. Adi Miartadi, President of the Indonesian Islamic Chefs Association and a member of the competition's judging panel, expressed his hope that his contestant would blend Indonesian and Tatar culinary cultures and original ideas into a single dish.
“I hope that relations between Indonesia and Tatarstan will continue to develop, strengthening economic co‑operation, including halal trade, serving as a step towards making Indonesia a strategic partner within the framework of the Forum, and expanding diplomatic ties,” said Adi Miartadi.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: the International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Изге Болгар җыены” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
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.
