Chennais Amirta Group of Institutions successfully organized the Chennais Amirta Carving Competition 2026, a grand celebration of culinary artistry, precision, and global carving standards.
The event was honoured by the presence of Chief Guest Chef Mr. Yang Xinquan (China), an internationally acclaimed carving expert and World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS)–Certified International Carving Judge. He is also a Member of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, Member of the Chinese Chefs Association, and Founder of Wind Vane Sculpture Art Studio, Chengdu, China. His presence added immense global credibility and professional stature to the competition.
The event was further enriched by the presence of Special Invitee Mr. Nanda Kumar, a distinguished farmer, chef, and entrepreneur, renowned for integrating traditional agricultural wisdom with modern culinary innovation. He is widely recognised for his inspiring appearances on MasterChef India Tamil and Cook with Comali (Season 2 & Season 6). His journey from farming to professional culinary excellence served as a powerful motivation for students, underscoring the importance of sustainability, authenticity, and entrepreneurship in contemporary gastronomy.
As part of his visit, Chef Yang Xinquan conducted an exclusive advanced carving training session a day prior to the competition for carving-enthusiast students of Chennais Amirta. The session offered rare international exposure, advanced professional techniques, and global insights into vegetable and fruit carving, significantly enriching students’ practical learning experience.
On the Carving Competition witnessed the participation of 40 highly skilled carving students from all campuses of Chennais Amirta. Students from Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Khairatabad, and Vijayawada showcased exceptional talent, creativity, and uniform training excellence across regions.
The jury panel led by Chef Yang Xinquan highly appreciated the intricate detailing, artistic precision, and creativity demonstrated by the participants. He also commended the dedicated efforts of the carving chefs and faculty members, whose mentorship enabled students to perform at internationally competitive standards.
From among the participants, three outstanding students were declared winners:
Carving Competition 2026
Arjun LR First place
S K Prithvi Raj Second place
Shahnaz Shaik Third place
Best Creativity Special Prize
Ganagana Sushma Sai Latha
Best Display Special Prize
Rajani Hemasree
Best Technical Skills Special Prize
BalaMaina Bhagya Shree
Chef Yang Xinquan lauded the distinctive originality, technical mastery, and professional finesse of the award-winning carvings, noting their strong potential for global competitions.
During his address, the Chief Guest expressed pride over three Chennais Amirta students winning Gold Medals at the Culinary Olympics, marking India’s first-ever gold medals in the competition’s 124-year history. He also congratulated Ms. Sreya, a Chennais Amirta student, for securing the Best Overseas Award at the HOTELEX China International Competition, appreciating her exceptional international performance.
Chef Yang Xinquan further praised the star-hotel-standard infrastructure of Chennais Amirta, highlighting the institution’s ability to provide real-time industry exposure and an immersive practical learning environment essential for shaping world-class culinary professionals.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman Mr. R. Boomeenathan stated that Chennais Amirta remains committed to delivering global-standard training, international exposure, and 100% placement opportunities. He cited the recent achievement of Chennais Amirta students at the ICC Mumbai Competition, where they emerged as Overall Champions, as strong evidence of the faculty’s expertise and dedication.
The event concluded on an inspiring and proud note, reaffirming Chennais Amirta’s mission of delivering global excellence in culinary education and nurturing future-ready hospitality professionals.
