Chefs from 18 countries will march along Baumana with flags.

      This event will be part of the III International Tournament of Young Chefs named after Yunus Akhmetzyanov, which will take place from May 13 to 15 as part of the "KazanForum." In addition to the procession, participants will have a round table on health in the chef profession, open master classes on Tatar cuisine, and the main intrigue — the "black box" format, where the set of products is revealed only at the start.

      More than just cooking: the tournament is reaching a new level

      The International Tournament of Young Chefs named after Yunus Akhmetzyanov is going beyond the culinary competition this year. The focus is not only on the kitchen but also on the profession itself, its cultural codes, and the human cost. The organizers have prepared a program that combines gastronomy, diplomacy, and social responsibility. The main events will unfold from May 13 to 15 as part of the XVII International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum."

      Procession along Bauman Street and tribute to the poet

      A key novelty this year will be the ceremonial procession of participants along Bauman Street. Young chefs from 18 countries will walk for the first time along Kazan's main pedestrian artery with national flags, and then lay flowers at the monument to Musa Jalil. This gesture has deep symbolic meaning: it is timed to the anniversary of the great Tatar poet and emphasizes Kazan's status as a cultural capital, where international dialogue is possible not only at forums but also through gastronomy, traditions, and shared values.

      The cost of the profession: why chefs burn out

      Another important part of the program will be an international round table titled "The Cost of the Profession: The Chef's Health as the Main Resource of the Industry." The topic is not chosen by chance: high physical load, long hours of standing, stress, night shifts, and chronic fatigue shorten chefs' professional paths. The discussion will involve:

      - chefs with international experience;

      - representatives of the restaurant business;

      - medical specialists.

      The goal is not just to discuss the problem but to establish concrete solutions. Following the round table, recommendations for maintaining chefs' health will be formulated and passed on to professional communities.

      Open master classes: Tatar cuisine for everyone

      A separate part of the program will be daily open master classes. Anyone interested will be able to see how traditional Tatar dishes are prepared:

      - triangles (echpochmak);

      - crispy cookies (khvorost);

      - umach (traditional soup with hand-cut noodles).

      Guests of the master classes will include bloggers, speakers, the participants themselves, and even children with disabilities. This format makes the program as open as possible and brings together people with different experiences around cuisine and traditions.

      "Black box": the main intrigue of the tournament

      The tournament retains its main "feature" — the "black box" format. Participants will learn which products they will have to use only at the moment of the start. This is a test of professionalism, creativity, and stress resistance. Mohamad Brian Faizal Putra Bhakti, a participant from Indonesia, a member of the Association of Islamic Chefs and Indonesian cuisine, shared his expectations:

      "For me, this is my first experience participating in such an international tournament. The 'black box' format will be a real challenge because I won't know what I will be working with, but that's where the interest lies. I will bring the flavors of Indonesia with me and try to convey them in my dishes, even if the ingredients turn out to be completely different."

      Organizers and status

      The tournament is organized by:

      - The Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of the Republic of Tatarstan;

      - The Organizing Committee of the "KazanForum";

      - The Academy of Youth Diplomacy.

      The event is held with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World." The Third International Tournament of Young Chefs named after Yunus Akhmetzyanov is intended for professionals aged 16 to 25. It becomes a platform not only for competition but also for an open conversation about the future of the industry — from cultural exchange to working conditions in the kitchen.

      Photo by the author

      Yulia Kazamarova