The Best School Chef of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2024 will be crowned on November 6, when finalists gather in Bishkek for the final culinary showdown after months of intense competition. Bishkek to host Best School Cook 2024 competition finals
The final round of the Best School Cook 2024 competition will take place at the Republican Competency Center, located within the Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University. Seven finalists, who excelled in regional qualifying rounds, will compete for the title of the nation’s Best School Cook. This year, they will tackle new challenges, share new ideas, and, most importantly, make an effort to inspire a love for healthy eating among schoolchildren.
Organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, with support from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), the competition has already become a cherished tradition. It unites cooks and nutritionists in their mission to make school meals healthy, balanced, and delicious. The event is part of the School Meals Optimization initiative, which reaches more than 250,000 schoolchildren nationwide.
The journey to the final: regional qualifying rounds
The qualifying rounds were held in school kitchens across Kyrgyzstan’s seven regions. Participants demonstrated their culinary skills by preparing hot dishes and soups from the School Meals Recipe Book. This phase tested their ability to work with standardized recipes, adhere to sanitation requirements, and complete tasks within tight timeframes.
The participants advancing to the finals are:
Lyudmila Stonogina – School in Novo-Nikolaevka village, Chui Region
Nurzat Omuralieva – Sayakbay Karalaev School No. 6, Balykchy, Issyk-Kul Region
Nazgul Zhunushova – Uson Beysheev Secondary School, Ak Kiya Village, Naryn Region
Minura Ismailova – Secondary School in Pokrovka village, Talas Region
Nargiza Kichibaeva – Ohna School-Gymnasium, Batken Region
Farida Khodzhmatova – K. Kuzembaeva Secondary School No. 7, Tash-Komur, Jalal-Abad Region
These talented cooks will demonstrate their skills in the final round, where they will compete for the title of Best School Cook of Kyrgyzstan.
Final showdown: creativity and speed in the kitchen
The final round of the competition will consist of two stages. In the first stage, the cooks will present their signature hot dishes, designed specifically for the school menu. Each participant has developed a recipe using locally sourced ingredients and a limited budget, ensuring the dish is not only delicious but also practical for students' daily meals.
In the second stage—a culinary duel—the finalists will have just 20 minutes to prepare a salad and a drink using recipes from the School Meals Recipe Book and the ingredients provided. This challenge will test their speed, creativity, and attention to detail.
The jury, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, WFP, and the Association of Chefs of the Kyrgyz Republic, will evaluate each dish based on taste, presentation, and adherence to school feeding standards.
Upon completion of the competition, cooks will be awarded certificates for the purchase of school kitchen equipment in the amounts of 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000 soms, along with individual prizes. The event will conclude with a masterclass led by the Chairman of the Association of Chefs of the Kyrgyz Republic, who will demonstrate how to prepare an affordable and nutritious dish for school meals.
The Best School Cook competition aims to improve school feeding by highlighting the importance of high-quality and healthy meals for children. School cooks gain the opportunity to learn new culinary techniques, experiment with modern cooking methods, and enhance the nutritional value of their offerings. Thanks to this initiative, school meals are increasingly tailored to meet children's dietary needs, supporting their health with essential vitamins and minerals.
Follow the final event to see who will be crowned the Best School Cook 2024!