Fifty young chefs will cross ladles at the fifth edition of Young Chef Olympiad (YCO), presented by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) in association with t2.

The starters for the culinary war were served at Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Auditorium in Delhi on Monday.

Here’s what’s in store...

The competition

The contestants from various culinary schools, each representing one country, have to clear two rounds to make it to the Super 10. For the first time this year, 10 more contestants will vie for the Plate Trophy.

“The IIHM YCO is the biggest and finest culinary event in the world,” said Suborno Bose, chief mentor and CEO of IIHM.

Madhumitha K.P., a third-year student of IIHM, Bangalore, is representing India.

The format

Split into six groups, the contestants, will be marked on technique, safety and hygiene, cleanliness, best use of ingredients, presentation and taste among other criteria.

The top scorers from the first two rounds will make it to the Super 10 and the next 10 to the Plate Trophy round.

The top 10 will have to rustle up a dish using salmon, one using potatoes and a dessert out of a list of challenging ingredients, in two-and-a-half hours.

The judges

David Foskett, the former dean and head of the London School of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of West London, will chair the jury.