South India Chef’s Association (SICA) is hosting the 7th edition of its premier culinary event, the SICA Culinary Olympiad and Exhibition 2025, from 19th to 21st September at the Chennai Trade Centre. The event coincides with the regional edition of AAHAR International Food Fair 2025 and is supported by ITPO and TNTPO.
Press Meet Highlights
The press meet was attended by leading chefs including Padma Shri Chef Damodaran (President, SICA), Chef Sheetharam Prasaad (General Secretary, SICA), and other vice presidents and treasurers from various South Indian chapters.
Pre-Event Workshops
SICA conducted workshops on Pastry Art and Hot Plate Presentation to impart technical skills. Chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe from Chefs Guild of Lanka, along with four expat chefs, demonstrated advanced food plating techniques.
7th Edition Event Highlights
- India’s first WACS-approved National Competition
- Judging by a WACS-approved international jury
- Live culinary challenges for senior and apprentice chefs from hotels, bars, and culinary institutes
- Exclusive cocktail and mocktail competitions for students and professionals
- Hands-on competitions for housekeeping professionals emphasizing sustainability
- Largest gathering of F&B industry professionals including executive chefs, managers, academicians, and journalists
- Grand Award Ceremony recognizing gold medal winners and senior chefs
- Over 3,000 chefs participating, including international teams from Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Australia
- Networking opportunities through SICA Chefs Lounge
- Participation from different regional associations taking the event to a Pan-India level
- Wide coverage across social media platforms and national/regional press
- Celebrity chefs such as Sanjeev Kapoor, Padma Shri Chef Damodaran, and Sanjay Thuma attending
- New competitions including Dabra Coffee and Live Dessert Challenge
- Live 2-course Asian and Western cooking challenges at IHM Chennai on 11th–12th September 2025
Competition Categories
- Individual Artistic Display Competition
- Individual Cold Display Competition
- Practical Live Cooking Competition
- Cocktail/Mocktail Competition
- Table Cover Display/Layout Contest for two persons including wine glasses
- The Culinary Team Challenge – Edible Buffet
- Housekeeping Competitions
