One of the most exciting highlights of the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2026 was the live finale of the Hozpitality Young Chef of the Year competition.
After an intense semi-final competition hosted at ICCA Dubai and judged by the Emirates Culinary Guild, five outstanding young chefs earned their place in the Grand Finale, where they competed live in front of industry leaders, Executive Chefs, and hospitality professionals.
? Finalists:
- Abrar Ahmed Syed, Commis Chef, Emirates Flight Catering
- Amrit Maharjan, Commis Chef, Dubai World Trade Center
- Burru Prem Kumar, Commis Chef, Dubai World Trade Center
- Ishmeet Kaur, Commis Chef, Dubai World Trade Center
- Sahil Sabir Shaikh, DCDP, Emirates Flight Catering (FC Lounges – Airport)
The competition is not about celebrity chefs. It is about recognizing the real heroes of our kitchens and providing a platform for young chefs under 28 years of age to learn, develop, compete, and showcase their talents.
After an impressive live cook-off, our judges selected the winners:
? Gold – Hozpitality Young Chef of the Year 2026
Sahil Sabir Shaikh, DCDP, Emirates Flight Catering (FC Lounges – Airport)
? Silver
Amrit Maharjan, Commis Chef, Dubai World Trade Center
Congratulations to all the finalists for their passion, creativity, professionalism, and outstanding performance.
A special thank you to the Emirates Culinary Guild, President Andy Cuthbert, the judging panel, and Sunjeh Raja and the ICCA Dubai team for their continued support in helping us develop the next generation of culinary leaders.
The future of hospitality is in good hands.
