Exhibition news

Master Chef of FOODEX 2025 – Celebrating the Essence of Vietnamese Cuisine

Taking place from April 16 to 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), the Master Chef of FOODEX 2025 competition is a highlight within the 4th Ho Chi Minh City International Food & Foodstuff Exhibition – HCMC FOODEX 2025.

With the theme “The Essence of Vietnamese Cuisine”, Master Chef of FOODEX 2025 elevates itself to an international-level competition, aiming to honor the cultural value of Vietnamese cuisine through creative interpretations and global culinary standards. The competition will feature nearly 20 expert judges from eight countries, including Vietnam, the United States, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, France, and Taiwan. More than 100 contestants—including professional chefs, young chefs, and culinary students from Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, and beyond—will compete across 16 categories, such as appetizers, main courses, fine dining menus, artistic pastry displays, and modern vegetarian cuisine.

At its core, the competition seeks to explore the richness of Vietnamese ingredients—from vegetables, rice, and herbs to traditional spices—reimagined through modern cooking techniques and elegant presentations. This is not only a platform for showcasing culinary skills but also a chance to assert Vietnamese cuisine’s creativity and adaptability in a globalized world. It also serves as a launchpad for Vietnamese gastronomy to reach greater recognition on the world culinary map.

Notably, the top three winners will be selected to represent Vietnam at the Culinary Olympics 2025—an international culinary contest set to take place in Carrara, Italy, in November 2025, gathering chefs from more than 20 countries.

Through Master Chef of FOODEX 2025, Vietnamese cuisine is not only celebrated but also approached in a more modern and professional manner. The event contributes to opening new pathways for developing the food industry’s value chain—intertwining innovation, identity, and global integration.