In partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association

Nestlé Professional, the B2B arm of Nestlé Lanka, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association to collaborate in organizing the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat and Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Junior Competition 2026. This island-wide culinary competition aims to identify, nurture, and develop emerging culinary talent within Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry, reinforcing Nestlé Professional’s commitment to supporting the growth of the hospitality sector and the next generation of chefs.

Bernie Stefan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka commented, “For 120 years, Nestlé has been enriching Sri Lankan lives by unlocking the power of food and beverages to enhance quality of life. This commitment has also been demonstrated in our endeavour to strengthen Sri Lanka’s foodservice ecosystem. The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026 and Junior Competition is a platform that brings together industry expertise, education, and opportunity – empowering both professional chefs and hospitality students to reach their full potential. This competition also strongly reflects the spirit of our Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, which is dedicated to empowering the youth with the skills and hands-on experiences they need to thrive in the workforce and contribute to the community. We are delighted to continue this journey with our valued partners and support initiatives that nurture skills, inspire excellence, and help uplift Sri Lanka’s culinary landscape.”

‘At Nestlé Professional, we are committed to empowering chefs with the skills, inspiration, and opportunities needed to drive the future of the foodservice industry. The Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition is a meaningful platform that nurtures culinary talent while encouraging innovation and excellence. Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector continues to showcase remarkable potential, and through the 2026 edition of this competition, we are proud to support the next generation of chefs as they shape the industry’s future’, said Saurabh Makhija, Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region.

Maduranga Perera, Assistant Director – Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka said, “The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026 and Junior Competition represents a meaningful investment in the future of Sri Lanka’s culinary and hospitality sector. Through close collaboration with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, we have designed this competition to provide both professional chefs and hospitality students with practical exposure, structured learning, and a credible platform to showcase their skills. At Nestlé Professional, our focus is on supporting chefs at every stage of their journey, and this initiative reflects our continuous commitment to nurturing talent and taking the Sri Lankan hospitality sector to greater heights.”

Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, Chef Gerard Mendis said “The Chefs Guild of Lanka is pleased to continue its collaboration with Nestlé Professional through the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026. This competition provides young chefs with a credible national platform to showcase their skills and gain industry exposure to succeed in the hospitality sector.”

“The Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association is delighted to partner with Nestlé Professional and the Chefs Guild of Lanka in organizing the Junior Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026. This initiative provides hospitality students with a valuable platform to apply their knowledge, build practical skills, and gain exposure to industry standards at an early stage of their careers. By bridging education and industry, this competition plays an important role in preparing young graduates to confidently enter Sri Lanka’s evolving hospitality sector” commented Dr. Gitanjali Chakravarthy, President of The Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association.