Aramark chefs from across Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America gathered in Dublin, Ireland, to compete for top honors in a high-stakes three-day culinary competition—and a winner has emerged.
“Congratulations to Chef Ana Nechita from Aramark Ireland (shown in photo at top holding the cup) on being named Gold Award winner of the Aramark International Chefs’ Cup 2026, and to every finalist who came to Dublin and cooked with such skill, discipline and imagination,” said Tom Neville, President and CEO, Aramark Ireland.
The chefs' dishes were assessed on flavor, balance, creativity, presentation, technique, sustainability, preparation, safety, and overall execution and judged by a panel that included some of Ireland’s most respected chefs.
Chef Nechita’s winning dishes included:
- Starter: Mushroom and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Tarragon and Kefir Foam, Parmesan Crisp, Pickled Shallots, Mushrooms, and Red Wine Consommé.
- Main (photo, inset): Poached Halibut in Nori Seaweed, Scallop and Dill Mouse, Herb Emulsion, Potato Hash, Courgettes Glazed in Miso, Courgette and Clam Tartlet, Broccoli Puree, Pickled Red Dulse, and Dashi Velouté finished with Goatsbridge Trout Caviar.
- Dessert: Irish Set Cream, Strawberry Jelly Basil Puree, Honey Tuile, Streusel, High Bank Irish Balsamic Macerated Strawberries, and a Strawberry and Lime Sorbet.
“The annual International Chefs’ Cup competition is a great chance for our culinarians to show off their creativity, passion, and skill,” said Carl Mittleman, Chief Operating Officer, Aramark International. “Yet the most powerful part of our culinary culture isn’t competition—it’s connection. A chef from Asia trading techniques with a peer from Europe; someone from the Americas rethinking a flavor because of a story they just heard. You can’t script moments like that—you can only create the space for them. Our culinary excellence grows through shared craft, honest challenge, and mutual respect.”
Standout Culinary Performances
In addition to the Gold Award, which recognized a standout performance across both tasting and technical criteria, several other chefs were recognized for their contributions during this year’s Aramark International Chefs’ Cup. Congratulations to the following:
- Chef Sebastian Buenning from Aramark Germany - Silver Award winner
- Chef Nathan Booth from Aramark UK - Bronze Award winner
Two new honors were also presented this year:
- Chef Ana Nechita from Aramark Ireland won the Technical Award for outstanding precision and execution in the kitchen; and
- Chef Guo Qun Li from Aramark China won the Rising Star Award celebrating emerging culinary talent.
Overall, the Chefs’ Cup final competition in Dublin featured 10 competitors from Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Korea, Latin America, Luxembourg, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Each chef won a competition in their country to compete against their international peers. Read more about the finalists and judging panel.
Sign Up for News Alerts
