Zimbabwe at Young Chefs Olympiad 2026 — SAHTC’s Tadiwanashe Taruvinga represents the nation in India

Tadiwanashe Taruvinga representing SAHTC at Young Chefs Olympiad India 2026

By Staff Reporter — Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is competing on the global culinary stage at the Young Chefs Olympiad (YCO) 2026 in India, with Tadiwanashe Taruvinga, a 21‑year‑old second‑year junior chef from SAHTC — The Hospitality School (Harare), representing the country in a field of 50 nations. The Olympiad, described as the “Culinary Olympics,” runs across major Indian cities and culminates with a grand finale in Kolkata.

Lead: Zimbabwe at the Culinary Olympics in India

Taruvinga earned her place after winning a closely contested national selection in Harare and travelled to India with mentor Mutsawashe Olinda Mvududu. The competition began on 1 February with an opening ceremony in Bangalore and features high‑level contests, cultural exchange, and innovation across Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Pune, and Hyderabad.

Competition format, Zimbabwe’s grouping, and key features

Zimbabwe was drawn into the Delhi group alongside the United Arab Emirates, England, Bulgaria, Lesotho, Wales, Albania, Oman, the United States, and Equatorial Guinea. The week‑long Olympiad includes live cook‑offs, the United World of Young Chefs showcase of national dishes, and technology‑driven tools such as the KitchenCut engine for recipe development, nutritional analysis, and allergen tracking. This year’s theme, “Preserving the World’s Global Culinary Heritage through AI,” emphasises responsible integration of artificial intelligence into hospitality education.

Preparation, mentorship, and SAHTC’s role

SAHTC prepared Taruvinga with hands‑on training alongside professional chefs at leading Harare hotels, including Hyatt Regency Harare and The Meikles. Mentor Mvududu said continued participation strengthens the school’s training programmes and keeps curricula aligned with international standards. SAHTC has represented Zimbabwe at the YCO nine times and counts past successes such as the Rising Star Award (2019) and Best in Kitchen Hygiene (2023) among its achievements.

Impact and outcomes for Zimbabwean culinary education

Participation advances SAHTC’s mission to produce globally competitive graduates and raises the profile of vocational culinary education in Zimbabwe. The Olympiad offers networking, learning, and culinary diplomacy opportunities that benefit students, hospitality employers, and the country’s tourism sector. The YCO grand finale and awards ceremony are scheduled for today in Kolkata, where top teams from each group will compete for international honours.