As summer begins, one of the most inspiring events of the year — the Best School Cook competition — kicks off in Tajikistan. Now in its fourth year, this culinary celebration brings together school cooks from across the country. This year, the competition is growing: for the first time, cooks from urban schools in the major regional centers — Dushanbe, Khujand, Bokhtar, and Khorog — are invited to participate!
The competition is organized by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan. The organizers are confident that this expansion will boost knowledge-sharing and bring the overall quality of school meals to a new level.
Competition that unites the nation
Launched in 2022, the competition has become a key component of the School Feeding Programme, implemented by WFP with support from SIFI and in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
However, this competition is more than just a search for the best — it inspires, educates, and boosts the profession's popularity. School cooks from rural — and now also urban — schools have the chance to learn from one another, experiment with local ingredients, and show how to prepare nutritious and delicious meals. The ultimate goal is to ensure students have access to high-quality, balanced meals that support their health and academic success.
What’s new in 2025
This year, the competition expands to include cooks from urban schools, with a separate set of criteria tailored to the specific conditions and equipment of urban school kitchens.
“Until now, the competition was mainly held for rural schools,” explains Vladimir Chernigov, President of the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI). “But we see a growing demand and great potential in cities. By expanding in 2025, we’re creating a unique platform for dialogue. Cooks from all over the country can share ideas, get inspired, and — most importantly — raise the bar for school meal quality for ALL children in Tajikistan. That’s our top priority.”
From July 14 to August 15, during the finalist selection stage, new challenges will be introduced. Participants will compete in preparing hot dishes and drinks, as well as in baking traditional bread and flatbreads — a symbol of Tajik cuisine.
In addition, one of the tasks will focus on the everyday school menu — cooks will prepare dishes that children are served on a daily basis. This will make the competition more practical and reflect real conditions in school canteens.
Festive final: masterclasses, bloggers, the “Golden Spoon,” and Students’ Choice award
The final round will be held on September 18 in Dushanbe. Nine finalists from the regions and from each of the central cities will present original dishes that demonstrate their region’s culinary traditions and take on a culinary challenge to prepare a full lunch using a provided set of ingredients.
Winners will receive valuable prizes: certificates for household appliances, professional kitchen toolkits for their schools, medals, and diplomas. A special honor will be the rotating trophy — the “Golden Spoon” — a symbol of professionalism and respect for the work of school cooks, which will be passed from winner to winner each year.
For the first time, the voices of those who benefit most from school meals — the children — will be heard. A new award, the Students’ Choice, will be presented based on their vote for their favorite finalist.
This year’s finalists will also be supported by professional food bloggers. After the awards ceremony, they will offer cooking masterclasses — sharing secrets for simple, healthy meals and proving that nutritious food can be easy to make and delicious.
Join In!
Registration is open until June 30. All school cooks from rural schools participating in the WFP School Feeding Programme, as well as those from state-run urban schools in regional centers that organize school meals, are invited to apply.
Exciting challenges, knowledge exchange, valuable workshops, and of course — recognition and prizes — await!
To participate, the cooks need to:
✔️ Fill out the application form
✔️ Prepare a short essay or video about themselves
✔️ Submit the full application package by June 30
See detailed participation guidelines, application requirements, and competition stages on the official website of the School Meals Programme in Tajikistan.
For any questions, contact us at:
The competition is organized by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan. The organizers are confident that this expansion will boost knowledge-sharing and bring the overall quality of school meals to a new level.
Competition that unites the nation
Launched in 2022, the competition has become a key component of the School Feeding Programme, implemented by WFP with support from SIFI and in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
However, this competition is more than just a search for the best — it inspires, educates, and boosts the profession's popularity. School cooks from rural — and now also urban — schools have the chance to learn from one another, experiment with local ingredients, and show how to prepare nutritious and delicious meals. The ultimate goal is to ensure students have access to high-quality, balanced meals that support their health and academic success.
What’s new in 2025
This year, the competition expands to include cooks from urban schools, with a separate set of criteria tailored to the specific conditions and equipment of urban school kitchens.
“Until now, the competition was mainly held for rural schools,” explains Vladimir Chernigov, President of the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI). “But we see a growing demand and great potential in cities. By expanding in 2025, we’re creating a unique platform for dialogue. Cooks from all over the country can share ideas, get inspired, and — most importantly — raise the bar for school meal quality for ALL children in Tajikistan. That’s our top priority.”
From July 14 to August 15, during the finalist selection stage, new challenges will be introduced. Participants will compete in preparing hot dishes and drinks, as well as in baking traditional bread and flatbreads — a symbol of Tajik cuisine.
In addition, one of the tasks will focus on the everyday school menu — cooks will prepare dishes that children are served on a daily basis. This will make the competition more practical and reflect real conditions in school canteens.
Festive final: masterclasses, bloggers, the “Golden Spoon,” and Students’ Choice award
The final round will be held on September 18 in Dushanbe. Nine finalists from the regions and from each of the central cities will present original dishes that demonstrate their region’s culinary traditions and take on a culinary challenge to prepare a full lunch using a provided set of ingredients.
Winners will receive valuable prizes: certificates for household appliances, professional kitchen toolkits for their schools, medals, and diplomas. A special honor will be the rotating trophy — the “Golden Spoon” — a symbol of professionalism and respect for the work of school cooks, which will be passed from winner to winner each year.
For the first time, the voices of those who benefit most from school meals — the children — will be heard. A new award, the Students’ Choice, will be presented based on their vote for their favorite finalist.
This year’s finalists will also be supported by professional food bloggers. After the awards ceremony, they will offer cooking masterclasses — sharing secrets for simple, healthy meals and proving that nutritious food can be easy to make and delicious.
Join In!
Registration is open until June 30. All school cooks from rural schools participating in the WFP School Feeding Programme, as well as those from state-run urban schools in regional centers that organize school meals, are invited to apply.
Exciting challenges, knowledge exchange, valuable workshops, and of course — recognition and prizes — await!
To participate, the cooks need to:
✔️ Fill out the application form
✔️ Prepare a short essay or video about themselves
✔️ Submit the full application package by June 30
See detailed participation guidelines, application requirements, and competition stages on the official website of the School Meals Programme in Tajikistan.
For any questions, contact us at:
- Email: ozmunioshpazon@gmail.com
- Phone: +992 93 722 4444