Today the highly anticipated qualifying rounds of the annual Best School Cook 2025 competition kick off across Kyrgyzstan. Organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), the competition aims to ensure that school meals are delicious, nutritious, and of high quality.
This year, over 400 cooks from different corners of Kyrgyzstan will have the opportunity to test their skills.
The qualifying rounds will take place in all seven provinces of the country, following a multi-stage format. In the first stage, participants will demonstrate their knowledge of hygiene standards and safety regulations through an online test. This will be followed by a ‘Questions from Parents’ blitz round, where representatives of parent committees will ask contestants about the quality of school meals. Cooks will need to respond quickly and accurately, showcasing their ability to engage in direct dialogue with parents.
The main and most exciting stage of the competition is the practical cooking challenge. Within a limited time, cooks will prepare a main dish and a side dish based on recipes from the School Meals Recipe Book. The jury will evaluate the dishes not only for taste and presentation but also for adherence to recipes, hygiene standards, and safety protocols. In addition to the jury, schoolchildren and their parents will have the chance to taste the dishes and share their feedback on flavor and presentation.
Alongside the competition, schools will host ‘Cooking Together’ masterclasses for primary school children and their parents. These sessions are designed to show that cooking healthy meals together as a family can be quick, simple, and fun. Under the guidance of professional chefs and nutritionists, children and parents will learn to prepare nutritious dishes and receive practical tips on creating a balanced daily menu. Participants will receive recipe booklets and nutrition advice, and each family will be gifted a home quest game titled ‘In Search of a Healthy Breakfast.’
The competition will culminate in the final round on November 5, 2025, at the Republican Competency Center in Bishkek. The best school cooks from the seven provinces will present their signature hot dishes and compete in the final culinary showdown. Winners will be awarded valuable prizes and well-deserved diplomas.
The competition is part of the School Meals Optimization Programme which already provides daily, nutritious, and well-balanced meals to over 250,000 primary school children across the country.
This year, over 400 cooks from different corners of Kyrgyzstan will have the opportunity to test their skills.
The qualifying rounds will take place in all seven provinces of the country, following a multi-stage format. In the first stage, participants will demonstrate their knowledge of hygiene standards and safety regulations through an online test. This will be followed by a ‘Questions from Parents’ blitz round, where representatives of parent committees will ask contestants about the quality of school meals. Cooks will need to respond quickly and accurately, showcasing their ability to engage in direct dialogue with parents.
The main and most exciting stage of the competition is the practical cooking challenge. Within a limited time, cooks will prepare a main dish and a side dish based on recipes from the School Meals Recipe Book. The jury will evaluate the dishes not only for taste and presentation but also for adherence to recipes, hygiene standards, and safety protocols. In addition to the jury, schoolchildren and their parents will have the chance to taste the dishes and share their feedback on flavor and presentation.
Alongside the competition, schools will host ‘Cooking Together’ masterclasses for primary school children and their parents. These sessions are designed to show that cooking healthy meals together as a family can be quick, simple, and fun. Under the guidance of professional chefs and nutritionists, children and parents will learn to prepare nutritious dishes and receive practical tips on creating a balanced daily menu. Participants will receive recipe booklets and nutrition advice, and each family will be gifted a home quest game titled ‘In Search of a Healthy Breakfast.’
The competition will culminate in the final round on November 5, 2025, at the Republican Competency Center in Bishkek. The best school cooks from the seven provinces will present their signature hot dishes and compete in the final culinary showdown. Winners will be awarded valuable prizes and well-deserved diplomas.
The competition is part of the School Meals Optimization Programme which already provides daily, nutritious, and well-balanced meals to over 250,000 primary school children across the country.