In partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association

Nestlé Professional, the B2B arm of Nestlé Lanka, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association to collaborate in organizing the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat and Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Junior Competition 2026. This island‑wide culinary competition aims to identify, nurture, and develop emerging culinary talent within Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry, reinforcing Nestlé Professional’s commitment to supporting the growth of the hospitality sector and the next generation of chefs.

The Chefs Guild of Lanka will support the Professional category of the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026, facilitating eight regional competitions across the island. These regional rounds will provide a competitive platform for professional chefs to showcase their culinary expertise while helping them to develop their culinary skills further.

In parallel, Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association and Chefs Guild of Lanka, will organize the Junior Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026, aimed at nurturing students within Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector. The regional rounds of the junior competition will be conducted across prominent hotel schools island‑wide, creating a structured platform to identify, mentor, and inspire the young students who aspire of becoming the top chefs in the country and world-wide.

Mr. Bernie Stefan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka commented, “For 120 years, Nestlé has been enriching Sri Lankan lives by unlocking the power of food and beverages to enhance quality of life. This commitment has also been demonstrated in our endeavour to strengthen Sri Lanka’s foodservice ecosystem. The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026 and Junior Competition is a platform that brings together industry expertise, education, and opportunity - empowering both professional chefs and hospitality students to reach their full potential. This competition also strongly reflects the spirit of our Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, which is dedicated to empowering the youth with the skills and hands-on experiences they need to thrive in the workforce and contribute to the community. We are delighted to continue this journey with our valued partners and support initiatives that nurture skills, inspire excellence, and help uplift Sri Lanka’s culinary landscape.”

‘At Nestlé Professional, we are committed to empowering chefs with the skills, inspiration, and opportunities needed to drive the future of the foodservice industry. The Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition is a meaningful platform that nurtures culinary talent while encouraging innovation and excellence. Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector continues to showcase remarkable potential, and through the 2026 edition of this competition, we are proud to support the next generation of chefs as they shape the industry’s future’, said Mr. Saurabh Makhija, Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region.

Mr. Maduranga Perera, Assistant Director - Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka said, “The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026 and Junior Competition represents a meaningful investment in the future of Sri Lanka’s culinary and hospitality sector. Through close collaboration with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, we have designed this competition to provide both professional chefs and hospitality students with practical exposure, structured learning, and a credible platform to showcase their skills. At Nestlé Professional, our focus is on supporting chefs at every stage of their journey, and this initiative reflects our continuous commitment to nurturing talent and taking the Sri Lankan hospitality sector to greater heights.”

Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, Chef Gerard Mendis said “The Chefs Guild of Lanka is pleased to continue its collaboration with Nestlé Professional through the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026. This competition provides young chefs with a credible national platform to showcase their skills and gain industry exposure to succeed in the hospitality sector.”

"The Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association is delighted to partner with Nestlé Professional and the Chefs Guild of Lanka in organizing the Junior Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Competition 2026. This initiative provides hospitality students with a valuable platform to apply their knowledge, build practical skills, and gain exposure to industry standards at an early stage of their careers. By bridging education and industry, this competition plays an important role in preparing young graduates to confidently enter Sri Lanka’s evolving hospitality sector” commented Dr. Gitanjali Chakravarthy, President of The Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association.

Guided by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food and beverages to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé Lanka has been enriching Sri Lankan lives and nourishing generations with tasty, and nutritious products of the highest quality. As the B2B arm of Nestlé Lanka, Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka has always been at the forefront of the development of Sri Lanka’s culinary industry and will continue its efforts by working together with food service professionals to offer tailored solutions that address unique business challenges and opportunities to grow and succeed.

Image Caption : From left to right; Mr. Keerthi Pathiraja (Assistant Director – Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Nestlé Lanka Limited), Chef Gerard Mendis (Chairman – Chefs Guild of Lanka), Mr. Bernie Stefan (Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé Lanka Limited), Mr. Saurabh Makhija (Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region), Mr. Maduranga Perera (Assistant Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Lanka Limited), Dr. Gitanjali Chakravarthy (President – The Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association)