Emma Biro is going the distance to test her skills on the world stage.
The Culinary Management (Co-op) student will represent Canada at the twelfth annual International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) in India Feb. 1-6. As the largest gathering of student chefs on the planet, the event involves participants from 50 different countries. Biro alone has the honour representing Canada.
“I’m very honoured that I was chosen to participate in this competition,” said Biro. “I’m looking forward to representing Canada and working alongside 50 other countries.”
It will be her first time in India and Biro was looking forward to the experience.
“I’m excited to learn more about the culture, the cooking culture,” she said. “I’m excited to work with new ingredients and learn new techniques, not only from India but from the 50 other countries that will be there and the people that I’ll work with.”
Chef Daniel Esposito has spent the last two months mentoring Biro, sharpening her technical skills and accompanying her to India to provide guidance on the ground.
“I’m totally thrilled to participate in this year’s event. I do understand it will be a great exchange of cultures, friendships and camaraderie,” said Esposito.
He noted that this experience is a massive boost to the young chef’s resume.
“For Emma’s participation, this is going to change the direction of her career,” he said. “This competition will give her a new direction in her future because she’ll be discovering totally different product, totally different knowledge about the world around her and knowing where the clientele is from.
“I’m very proud of Emma. She’s willing to put herself out there and challenge herself but also demonstrate her ambition.”
Biro won the right to compete at the YCO after competing in an internal challenge, organized by faculty – after NC was invited to compete at the YCO. Eight students vied for the honour in a live competition which took place at the College’s Fall Open House. The competition was after event organizers invited NC to compete.
While Biro – the first place winner – will compete in India, second place student, Annabelle Hart, will represent the College at Skills Ontario in May.
The YCO challenges students to test their skills while engaging with Indian regional ingredients and traditions. Following the opening ceremony in Bangalore, Biro will face off for round one of the competition in Pune, alongside teams from Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, and five other nations, before the grand finale is held in Kolkata.
“The Young Chef Olympiad is not just a competition. It is a global stage for talent, diplomacy, and learning,” said Dr Suborno Bose, Chair, IIHM. “In the YCO journey, preparation turns into participation, and young chefs begin their role as global ambassadors for cuisine, culture, and collaboration.”
Ten years ago, NC culinary student Daniella Germond won YCO gold for Canada (NC culinary grad tops in the world).
For details about this year’s YCO visit ycolympiad.com.
Chef Daniel Esposito (right) has been mentoring Emma Biro (left) for months in advance of the largest gathering of student chefs on the planet.
