The Master Chef of FOODEX 2025 competition, set to take place from April 16 to 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), is a highlight of the 4th HCMC International Food Industry Exhibition – HCMC FOODEX 2025.
With the theme “Essence of Vietnamese Cuisine,” the competition has been elevated to an international-level event, aiming to honor the cultural value of Vietnamese cuisine through a creative lens and in line with global standards.
The event brings together nearly 20 professional judges from eight countries and territories, including Vietnam, the U.S., India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, France, and Taiwan (China).
More than 100 participants, comprising professional chefs, young chefs, and culinary students from Vietnam, India, Malaysia and Taiwan (China) will compete across 16 categories. These include appetizers, main courses, fine dining menus, artistic pastries, and contemporary plant-based cuisine. The organizers will award top performers in each category each day, fostering a vibrant and competitive atmosphere throughout the event.
At the core of the competition is the focus on Vietnamese ingredients, ranging from vegetables and rice to herbs and traditional spices, reimagined through modern processing techniques and sophisticated presentation. This is not only a place to showcase skills but also an opportunity to affirm Vietnamese cuisine’s creativity and integration capabilities in an increasingly interconnected world.
Notably, the three most outstanding contestants will be selected to represent at the Culinary Olympics 2025, an international culinary competition held in Carrara, Italy, in November 2025, bringing together chefs from over 20 countries.
Through Master Chef of FOODEX 2025, the essence of Vietnamese gastronomy is celebrated and redefined in a more modern and professional direction. The event contributes to developing the food industry’s value chain, promoting creativity, cultural identity, and global integration.
