Cooking champions will clash for titles at Ķīpsala
On 6 September, during the annual Riga Food trade fair, the most talented and ambitious chefs from all Latvia will traditionally clash in their bid to win the title of the Best Latvian Chef 2024 and Best Latvian Apprentice Chef 2024. Winners will fight for the prestigious Reaton Golden Ladle and other exciting prizes.
Annual competition not only strives to find the next best Latvian chef and apprentice chef, but it also supports and promotes the development of the craft according to Modern Latvian Cuisine manifesto that unites local chefs, farmers and producers around the objective of creating modern Latvian food recipes based on locally-sourced products while also promoting and preserving Latvia’s unique culinary heritage.
The theme of this year’s competition is the highly-relevant topic of sustainability, and this year’s motto is sustainable kitchen operations or zero waste kitchens.
Register now!
Any certified cook with prior experience of at least three years is eligible to enter the competition. Competition rules can be accessed here.
Competition finals on 6 September at the Ķīpsala Expo Centre will require chefs to bring along some assistance. It is allowed to be assisted by a sous chef born after 6 September 2001.
Moreover, even if you are not on the Best Latvian Chef 2024 winning team, you can still win the much-coveted title Best Latvian Apprentice Chef 2024. Sous chefs will be judged separately, based on criteria such as technique, teamwork, hygiene and work safety, professional commitment and innovation.
How to apply?
- Fill out and submit the application form
- Follow the rules regarding homework to create a recipe and plating of three meals: chef’s compliments, hot and cold starters, and a main course. Meals must include at least one ingredient sourced from Latvian farmers or producers
- Submit recipe and two photos of each course without any corporate logos or names to allow jury to remain impartial by rating anonymous bids. Full text of homework rules available here
Finals
Independent and qualified jury will rate anonymous bids (recipe and images) and shortlist six entries for the finals that will take place during the Riga Food at the Ķīpsala Expo centre on 6 September.
International judges and valuable prizes
Masterpieces created by chefs will be carefully weighed against criteria defined by experienced international jury members who have been on numerous similar panels in the past. Best chef will win the prestigious Reaton Golden Ladle, the traveling prize and also €1,500. Sous chefs will compete for €300 prize money.
Best Latvian Chef 2024 and Best Latvian Apprentice Chef 2023
Valērija Čudova, Chef of the restaurant Ferma, is the last year’s Best Latvian Chef, and Best Latvian Apprentice Chef 2023 was awarded to Elīna Potapova from Snatch. Riga Food 2023 is also where national team for Bocuse d’Or was selected. Latvian did very well at the competition in Norway. Latvian team coached by Dināra Zvidriņa, the three-time winner of the Best Latvia Chef title, which consisted of Ferma’s chef Nils Ģēvele and Agate Batraga, the winner of Best Latvian Apprentice Chef 2022, managed to finish the competition with the impressive 12th place.
Competition is organised by Chefs’ Club and BT 1 International Expo Company.
Additional information:
Svetlana Riškova, phone: +371 2923 8453
Viesturs Lasmanis, phone: +371 2631 9522
Vilnis Lauciņš, phone: +371 2921 8007
