12-chef delegation from Maldives attends Worldchefs Congress 2026

A delegation from the Maldives, composed of 12 chefs from the Chefs Guild of Maldives (CGM), participated in the Worldchefs Congress 2026 – the world’s largest international gathering of professional chefs.

The biennial event, which brought together culinary leaders from across the globe, took place from Saturday to Tuesday at in Newport, Wales.

The three-day congress featured keynote addresses by Michelin-starred chefs, hands-on skill development and co-learning workshops, and discussions on contemporary issues shaping the culinary world, including sustainability, food security, and evolving gastronomic trends.

The highly anticipate Global Chefs Challenge finals took place on the sidelines of the Congress - where the world’s top chefs compete in four competition categories. The finalists were determined through regional semi-finals in 2025.

CGM states that through participation international platforms such as the Worldchefs Congress, it continues to advance its commitment to professional development, culinary excellence, and international collaboration, while also exploring opportunities to bring global best practices into the Maldives’ gastronomy scene.

WorldChefs Congress was last held in 2024 in Singapore, and was attended by a 30-member delegation from CGM.

The next edition of the WorldChefs Congress & Expo will be held in Paris, France in 2028, marking the 100th anniversary of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs), which was founded in Paris in 1928.

The CGM states that it hopes to expand opportunities for young Maldivian chefs to participate in this historic congress, recognizing the important role young culinary professionals play in shaping the future of the industry.

“Through greater international exposure, networking, and professional development opportunities, the Chefs Guild of Maldives aims to continue empowering and inspiring the next generation of Maldivian chefs,” stated the local nonprofit.