On November 5, the Republican Competency Center at Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University will host the final round of the Best School Cook 2025 national competition. This is one of the most anticipated events of the year for those who ensure that schoolchildren across Kyrgyzstan receive nutritious and delicious meals every day. The competition brings together professionals for whom taste, health, and care are not just words but a daily commitment.
Seven provinces — seven culinary stories
Seven school cooks representing every province of the country will compete in the finals. Each participant has passed a rigorous selection process and will bring to Bishkek their own signature hot dish created especially for the school menu. The key requirements are affordability and nutritional value: the cost per serving must not exceed 20 soms, the ingredients must be locally sourced, and the dish must include vegetables or fruits.
What awaits the finalists
The final program consists of three stages, reflecting the main aspects of the profession of a school cook: creativity, compliance with sanitary standards, and practical skills.
Stage I. Presentation of signature dishes
Finalists will showcase their culinary creations, share the story behind each recipe, and explain how it fits into the school menu. The jury will evaluate taste, presentation, and the potential for inclusion in school menus.
Stage II. Safe Kitchen practical quest
Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of hygiene and safety rules by identifying violations in a specially prepared mock kitchen area.
Stage III. Culinary battle
Cooks will prepare a salad and a drink using identical sets of ingredients. The judges will assess not only the taste and appearance of the dishes but also the precision of cooking techniques.
Awards and recognition
The winners will receive certificates for the purchase of kitchen equipment:
All other finalists will be awarded commemorative gifts and certificates of recognition. Prizes will be handed over by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
The event will conclude with a masterclass led by the Chairman of the Association of Chefs of the Kyrgyz Republic, who will share insights on how to create healthy, affordable, and appealing meals for children.
The spirit of the final
The Republican Competency Center will be transformed into a lively culinary hub featuring videos about the competition, a photo zone, brochures with finalists’ recipes, and a display of prizes.
The competition is organized with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), which acts as CIS Basic Organization for School Feeding.
The initiative aims to strengthen the professional community of school cooks, improve the quality of school meals, and promote the best practices nationwide.
The Best School Cook 2025 final will be a celebration of skill, passion, and dedication, reminding everyone that a school kitchen is where care for children begins with a plate of a hot meal.
Seven provinces — seven culinary stories
Seven school cooks representing every province of the country will compete in the finals. Each participant has passed a rigorous selection process and will bring to Bishkek their own signature hot dish created especially for the school menu. The key requirements are affordability and nutritional value: the cost per serving must not exceed 20 soms, the ingredients must be locally sourced, and the dish must include vegetables or fruits.
What awaits the finalists
The final program consists of three stages, reflecting the main aspects of the profession of a school cook: creativity, compliance with sanitary standards, and practical skills.
Stage I. Presentation of signature dishes
Finalists will showcase their culinary creations, share the story behind each recipe, and explain how it fits into the school menu. The jury will evaluate taste, presentation, and the potential for inclusion in school menus.
Stage II. Safe Kitchen practical quest
Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of hygiene and safety rules by identifying violations in a specially prepared mock kitchen area.
Stage III. Culinary battle
Cooks will prepare a salad and a drink using identical sets of ingredients. The judges will assess not only the taste and appearance of the dishes but also the precision of cooking techniques.
Awards and recognition
The winners will receive certificates for the purchase of kitchen equipment:
- 1st place — 50,000 soms
- 2nd place — 30,000 soms
- 3rd place — 20,000 soms
All other finalists will be awarded commemorative gifts and certificates of recognition. Prizes will be handed over by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
The event will conclude with a masterclass led by the Chairman of the Association of Chefs of the Kyrgyz Republic, who will share insights on how to create healthy, affordable, and appealing meals for children.
The spirit of the final
The Republican Competency Center will be transformed into a lively culinary hub featuring videos about the competition, a photo zone, brochures with finalists’ recipes, and a display of prizes.
The competition is organized with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), which acts as CIS Basic Organization for School Feeding.
The initiative aims to strengthen the professional community of school cooks, improve the quality of school meals, and promote the best practices nationwide.
The Best School Cook 2025 final will be a celebration of skill, passion, and dedication, reminding everyone that a school kitchen is where care for children begins with a plate of a hot meal.