Canadore College second-year culinary management student Elina Seguin is participating in the annual Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) in India this week.
The competition runs all week until Saturday in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Kolkata, India.
Seguin, who hails from North Bay, will compete in two regional rounds in Delhi with the hopes of advancing to the final in Kolkata. Participants will be marked on creativity, culinary skills and techniques, adherence to good health and safety and hygiene practice, working method, minimal waste and best use of ingredients, professional appearance and attitude, dish presentation, as well as taste and flavour.
Now in its fifth year, the YCO brings together young and promising future stars of the international culinary community with the intention of creating the opportunity for connection, celebrating diversity and culture, and sharing ideas and innovations through an exceptional industry-specific experience.
“This competition will allow me to gain new opportunities in the culinary industry and will push me to think of different ways to improve my skills,” said Seguin. “I know that I’ll be challenged to use my time effectively and to multi-task. Overall the Olympiad will open me up to new life experiences and possibilities.”
Canadore College is the only institution from Canada invited to join the competition. Seguin will be accompanied by a mentor, recently retired culinary arts professor, chef Daniel Esposito. Esposito will help Seguin refine her strategy throughout the competition.
“I am absolutely thrilled to mentor Elina, a young and ambitious future chef, on this prestigious international stage,” said Esposito. “I believe the best way to nurture talents around the world is to showcase each other’s creative approaches. I feel very privileged to be able to take part in this gathering of culinary friendship and cultural learning.”