Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026 Recognizes the Best of Sri Lanka’s Culinary Talent

Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, concluded the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition 2026 with a grand awards ceremony held at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams on 1 November 2026, recognizing talented young chefs and hospitality students from across the country. The Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, alongside distinguished guests representing Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry.

The competition was conducted across two main categories: the Professional category, held in partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka, and the Junior category, held in partnership with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association. Together, the two categories provided emerging chefs in the hospitality industry and culinary students from hotel schools across the country with a platform to showcase their talent and skills, supporting the development of Sri Lanka’s next generation of culinary professionals.

Following preliminary regional rounds conducted across the island, 6 teams from the Professional Category and 11 teams from the Junior Category came together to compete at the Grand Finale in Colombo, demonstrating their skills before a panel of experienced culinary professionals.

This year’s competition also introduced the Nestlé Professional Green Spatula Award, a recognition developed by the Global Nestlé Professional team in partnership with the World Association of Chefs’ Societies to promote more sustainable culinary practices. The award recognizes culinary teams that demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through practices such as reducing food waste, sourcing responsibly and adopting more environmentally conscious approaches in the kitchen.

Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, commented, “Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry plays a vital role in strengthening tourism and creating employment opportunities, contributing to the Government’s clear objective of building a strong economy. Initiatives such as the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition help develop the skills, confidence and creativity of our culinary professionals and students. I commend the organizers for creating a national platform that supports local talent and gives Sri Lankan cuisine an opportunity to shine on the global stage.”

Mr. Olivier Praz, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, commented, “It is commendable that a Swiss company with over 120 years of heritage in Sri Lanka continues to invest in the country’s culinary talent through initiatives such as the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition. This year’s new Green Spatula Award takes that commitment further by placing sustainability at the heart of the kitchen, while the competition as a whole continues to uplift the culinary industry. I thank Nestlé and its partners for investing in the next generation of culinary talent in Sri Lanka.”

Mr. Manav Sahni, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka, said, “For 120 years, Nestlé Lanka has been an integral part of Sri Lankan lives by providing tasty and nutritious products through our much-loved brands and creating opportunities for the community to grow. The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition reflects this long-standing commitment. This competition connects international expertise with local talent, helping young budding chefs and hospitality students strengthen their skills and develop their careers. We are pleased to work alongside our valued partners, the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, to support the continued development of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry.”

Chef Gerard Mendis, Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, commented, “The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition provides chefs from across Sri Lanka with a credible platform to test their capabilities, learn from industry professionals and showcase their talent. We are pleased to continue our long-term partnership with Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka in creating opportunities that encourage culinary excellence and help elevate the standards of the profession.”

Dr. Gitanjali Chakravarthy, President of the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, said, “The Junior Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition creates an important bridge between hospitality education and the industry. By giving students practical experience and the opportunity to compete on a national platform, the competition helps them build the skills and confidence needed to begin their professional journeys. We are delighted to support an initiative that invests meaningfully in the future of Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector.”

Mr. Maduranga Perera, Assistant Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Lanka, commented, “The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition is designed to support chefs at different stages of their development, from hospitality students taking their first steps into the industry to young professionals seeking to advance their craft. Together with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, we are fueling the ambitions of professionals and igniting the passion of our young aspiring chefs, ensuring that the culinary talent in Sri Lanka continue to thrive, innovate, and command respect on the world stage. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to every participant who brought their dedication and creativity to this year’s competition.”

Driven by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé has nourished generations of Sri Lankan families with high quality food and beverages from early childhood to old age. As the B2B arm of Nestlé Lanka, Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka has always been at the forefront of the development of Sri Lanka’s culinary industry and will continue its efforts by working together with food service professionals to offer tailored solutions that address unique business challenges and opportunities to grow and succeed.

Grand winners of the Professional Category:

Winner – Santani Wellness Kandy