The IKA/Culinary Olympics, held at the Messe Stuttgart Exhibition Centre in Germany from February 2-7, 2024, witnessed the convergence of culinary excellence from around the globe.

Among the participants were the Australian National Teams, represented by the Senior and Youth teams, who demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout the competition.

This event proved to be an unforgettable culinary showcase, highlighting the talent and innovation within the culinary community.

Both the Australian Senior and Youth Teams showcased outstanding performances, earning Silver and Bronze medals, respectively. Their achievements underscored their commitment to excellence and showcased the depth of talent within Australian culinary circles. Tasmanian pastry chef Stephanie Lawler made the trip to compete with the Youth Team. It was the second time Stephanie had taken part in the competition. She also made the trip to the 2022 Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg.

Australian Culinary Federation president Karen Doyle expressed immense pride in the teams.

“I am incredibly proud of our Senior and Youth Teams for their outstanding performance at the IKA/Culinary Olympics 2024,” she said.

“Their unwavering work ethic, dedication, and passion for their craft have truly shone through, representing Australia with distinction on the world stage.”

Youth team captain Amber Heaton said the IKA/Culinary Olympics were a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming-chefs.

“… to connect with like-minded people from different countries to sahre our passion for food, and make lifelong friendships,” she said.

The Australian Culinary Federation extended their congratulations to the Chinese Culinary Federation, who were awarded a Silver medal in the Community Catering Category, for their commendable achievement, and also to Finland for an outstanding performance and overall victory at the 2024 IKA/Culinary Olympics.

The IKA/Culinary Olympics, renowned as the world’s largest and oldest culinary art exhibition, attracted approximately 1800 participants from 67 nations and welcomed around 100,000 visitors from across the globe.

The next IKA/Culinary Olympics will be held in 2026. The location is yet to be announced.