On May 8, 2026, the Final Round of the "Talented Chef 2026" competition took place at the Practical Experiment Center of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT). The program serves as a meaningful academic and practical vocational arena for students who possess a passion for the fields of culinary arts, mixology, and baking.

 The competition was organized to create an environment where students could unleash their creativity, enhance their vocational skills, strengthen solidarity, exchange knowledge, and apply their professional expertise to practical situations. Following the preliminary round, the Organizing Committee selected 36 outstanding teams with a total of 80 contestants to enter the final round across 3 distinct competition categories:

• Category 1: Welcome Drink Mixology – 10 teams
• Category 2: Cake Decoration – 8 teams
• Category 3: Conquering Modern Cuisine – 9 teams

Delivering the opening speech, a representative from the Faculty’s Board of Management emphasized the vital role of career-experiential activities in enhancing practical capacity, creative skills, and professional courage for culinary students in today's context of global integration and service sector development.

This year's competition brought together an esteemed Board of Judges, including specialized lecturers, culinary artisans, international judges, and representatives from chef associations and food service enterprises. Notably, the "Conquering Modern Cuisine" category featured evaluation from highly reputable experts, such as National Artisan Ho Dac Thieu Anh, International Judge Ly Kim Long, Master Chef Nguyen Huu Long, along with various experts from the Vietnam Chefs Association and the UNESCO Center for Culinary Culture.

 Throughout the competition, the competing teams showcased highly creative products that reflected their significant investment in concepts, preparation techniques, and food presentation, as well as their teamwork capabilities and problem-solving skills within a professional kitchen environment. Many entries left a strong impression due to their high practical applicability, alignment with modern trends, and harmonious integration of traditional culinary values with contemporary presentation styles.

 More than just a vocational skill competition, "Talented Chef 2026" provided an excellent opportunity for students to interact with enterprises and industry experts, allowing them to expand their professional networks and sharpen their soft skills. The program also demonstrated the effective partnership between the university and the business community, made possible through the accompaniment of sponsors such as Vianco, Nhat Huong, Golden Farm, Bao Thien Bakery, Tiem Mai La, and various other partner units.

At the conclusion of the event, the Organizing Committee presented numerous awards across multiple categories, including First, Second, Third, and Consolation prizes. Additionally, thematic awards for Creativity, Impression, Style, and Potential were presented to outstanding teams in each category.

 The "Talented Chef 2026" competition concluded in an exciting, professional, and inspiring atmosphere. The program not only contributes to improving the quality of practical training at the Faculty of Tourism and Culinary Arts but also serves as a strong motivation for students to continue pursuing their passion, developing professional skills, and mapping their journey to becoming professional chefs in the future.