7th Edition SICA Culinary Olympiad 2025, India’s first WACS Endorsed Food Competition

Over 3000 Chefs across South India chapters, 4 International Teams
19th to 21st September 2025 at Chennai Trade Center Hall No-1 & 2 New Building at Chennai

South India Chef’s Association (SICA) is organizing its 7th edition of the industry’s most premier culinary event, SICA Culinary Olympiad and Exhibition 2025 from 19th to 21st September 2025, at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, on the sidelines of the regional edition of AAHAR International Food Fair 2025, Chennai. This event is supported by ITPO (India Trade Promotion Organization) and TNTPO (Tamil Nadu Trade Promotion Organization).

The Press Meet attended by Padma Shri. Chef Damodaran – President SICA, Chef Sheetharam Prasaad – General Secretary SICA, Chef Ajeeth Janarthanan – Vice President TN SICA, Chef Kasi Viswanathan – Vice President Karnataka SICA, Chef Sudhakar N Rao – VP Telangana SICA, Chef Thirulogachander – VP Andhra SICA, Chef Mohana Krishnan A. K. – Treasurer SICA, Chef Rajesh Radhakrishnan – Area GM The Park Hotel.

As a preliminary to this, SICA has already conducted workshops on Pastry Art & Hot Plate Presentation, to impart technical knowledge to approach professional competition. Chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe, Master Culinary Trainer from Chefs Guild of Lanka, along with his team of 4 expat Chefs from Sri Lanka, has demonstrated the art of food plating techniques.

7th Edition Event Highlights:

1. India’s first WACS approved National Competition
2. WACS approved international jury will judge the competitions
3. Live Culinary Challenge contest for Senior and Apprentice Chefs from culinary institutes, Hotels, Bars, Hospitality Institutions.
4. Live cooking challenges at the Venue for Students and Professionals
5. Exclusive Cocktail and Mocktail Competition for Students and Professionals
6. 2 Categories of hands-on competition for Housekeeping professionals focusing on sustainability in Hospitality Industry
7. The largest gathering of food and beverage industry professionals – executive chefs, F&B managers, academicians, technocrats and culinary journalists
8. Grand Award Ceremony on the concluding day of the event at AAHAR to recognize Gold medal winners and felicitate senior chefs and the international jury members and Sponsors.
9. Participants of over 3000 chefs across South India chapters, 4 International Teams like Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Australia have registered
10. SICA Chefs Lounge to socially engage and network with industry-leading chefs and professionals.
11. Participation from different Regional Associations have made their presence for the first time, taking this event to Pan India
12. Wide social Media Network – LinkedIn, X, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram along with national and regional press reach
13. Celebrity chefs like Sanjeev Kapoor, Padma Shri Dr Chef Damodaran, Sanjay Thuma and others making their presence.
14. New Addition Competition of Dabra Coffee, Live Dessert Challenge makes this year’s event interesting
15. Live competition on 2 Course Asian and Western Cooking, Live Dessert Challenge happening at IHM Chennai on 11th and 12th of September 2025.

Competition Categories

1. Individual Artistic Display Competition
2. Individual Cold Display Competition
3. Practical Live Cooking Competition
4. Cocktail / Mocktail Competition
5. Table Cover Display / Layout Contest for 2 persons including wine glasses
6. The Culinary Team Challenge – Edible Buffet
7. Housekeeping competitions