Competition became heated as 10 world-class culinarians from Belgium-Luxembourg, Canada, Chile, China, Czechia (Czech Republic), Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Spain, and United Kingdom battled it out for top honors during the 2025 Aramark International Chefs’ Cup held this year in Shanghai, China, May 13–15.
More than just a cooking competition, the annual Aramark International Chefs’ Cup is a celebration of culinary excellence, bridging countries, cultures, and languages to shine a light on chefs’ skills, creativity, and passion for gastronomy.
“The International Chefs’ Cup is a showcase of our worldwide culinary talent,” said Carl Mittleman, COO, Aramark International. “Every chef involved has advanced to this level by competing against other chefs in their own respective countries. This event truly is a global match-up of the best of the best.”
Chef Mario Henriquez, Aramark Chile
Chef Mario Henriquez (holding cup) took top prize with the help of Assistant Chef Arnoldo Muñoz. The winning dishes included Chickpea Tartare with Potato Cream, Tea-Infused Vegetables, and Acevichado Sauce (appetizer); Stuffed Porkloin and Braised Chicken-Stuffed Tomato with Mushroom-Potato Confit, Pickled Carrots, and Aged Wine Sauce (main); and a Chocolate Mousse, Honey Sponge, and Passionfruit, Mulberry, and Raspberry Gel Cocoa Cookie (dessert).
Chef Petr Kolarik, Aramark Czechia
Known for his dishes that surprise, satisfy, and push boundaries, Chef Petr Kolarik (right) and Assistant Chef Thomas Kourek secured the Silver award for their country and team.
Chef Stuart Fildes, Aramark UK
Chef Stuart Fildes (left) won the Bronze spot with the help of Assistant Chef David Ellams (being given a medal in photo). Chef Fildes approaches each plate like a canvas, bringing bold imagination and fearless technique to every dish.
Special recognition was awarded to Chef Zhao Xiang from Aramark China for the Best Technical Score and to Assistant Chef Zhu Weiwei from Aramark China, who won the Best Assistant Award, highlighting the indispensable role and superb teamwork displayed throughout the competition.
Congratulations to all the other 2025 Aramark International Chefs’ Cup finalists, who won competitions in their respective countries:
- Chef Paddy Cheang, Aramark Canada
- Chef Patrick Sonnenschein, Aramark Germany
- Chef Jake Ryan Gamboa, Aramark Ireland
- Chef Junseok Lee, Aramark Korea
- Chef Charles Henri Bernard, Aramark Belgium and Luxembourg
- Chef Eduardo Rodríguez Carrera, Aramark Spain
A Showcase of Culinary Artistry
The Aramark International Chefs’ Cup focused on the use of fresh, local ingredients from a specially curated market basket to create a full-course dinner for four consisting of a plant-based starter, a main dish, and a dessert.
Chefs selected their ingredients and defined their menus one day prior to the competition with only two hours of mise en place preparation.
On competition day, chef teams had three hours to bring their culinary visions to life for an accomplished jury of expert judges who evaluated the dishes for technical skill, taste, and creativity.
"It’s a matter of immense pride and joy for us to have hosted this prestigious culinary event this year,” said George Wang, President, Aramark China. “The International Chefs’ Cup is a celebration of culinary excellence and is a testament to the exceptional talent and hard work of chefs across our company.”
The 2026 Aramark International Chefs’ Cup will take place in Dublin, Ireland.
The Flavors of Victory
Watch a video recapping some of the action at the 2025 Aramark International Chefs’ Cup held in Shanghai, China.
