HP Newsroom
In a remarkable display of culinary talent and international competitiveness, young chefs representing Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP) and College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) have achieved an extraordinary milestone at the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge (TUCC) 2025, held from May 27 to May 31, 2025.
Participating for the first time in this prestigious global culinary event, the Pakistani delegation proudly secured 14 Diploma Certificates and 5 Bronze Medals, marking a momentous achievement for the country’s hospitality and culinary education sector. The TUCC 2025 drew participation from around 700 chefs across the globe and was judged by an esteemed jury panel of approximately 60 international culinary experts.
All the participating young chefs from Pakistan earned Diploma Certificates, recognizing their skill, creativity, and professionalism. Among these outstanding performers, five chefs earned Bronze Medals, a significant honour given the high standards and fierce competition. The medalists are:
Amina Basit
Muhammad Mustafa Shahid
Muhammad Nouman
Hamna
MahNoor Murtaza
These accolades not only celebrate the individual achievements of these young chefs but also underscore the strength of CAP and COTHM’s training programs and the rising global presence of Pakistani culinary arts.
Mian Shahid Mehmood, Vice President of the Chefs Association of Pakistan, praising the team’s exceptional performance said, “Earning 14 Diploma Certificates and 5 Bronze Medals at such a challenging international culinary platform is a significant achievement. It is a proud moment for Pakistan, and it proves that our young chefs are capable of competing on a global stage.”
Their coach, Tipu Imran, Executive Chef at COTHM Johar Town, also expressed his pride in the team. “It was the students’ first time competing on such an international stage, yet they performed exceptionally well,” he said. “With this experience, they’ll continue to grow and achieve even greater success in the future.”
Fraaz Kasuri, Manager of the Chefs Association of Pakistan and team manager for TUCC 2025, praised the young Pakistani chefs, saying they are both talented and passionate. “They’ve truly earned what they worked so hard for,” he added.
While appreciating the team telephonically, COTHM Founder, President & CEO Ahmad Shafiq congratulated the students and CAP members on their outstanding performance. He said the achievement reflects the high-quality training provided at COTHM and showcases the talent and potential of Pakistani youth. “Winning bronze medals on such a tough global stage is like gold to us,” he added. “This success not only brings pride to COTHM and CAP but also highlights Pakistan’s growing presence in the international culinary arena.”
Chef Willment Leong, Organizing Chairman of the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge 2025 and Continental Director for Asia at WorldChefs, commended the Pakistan team on their debut performance. “It was Pakistan team’s first time participating in TUCC, and they showed great enthusiasm and potential,” he said. “They gained valuable experience this year, and I am confident they will come back stronger and achieve even better results in future competitions.”
This success marks a major milestone in CAP and COTHM’s commitment to culinary excellence, innovation, and international collaboration. The participation and victory at TUCC 2025 has set a new benchmark for aspiring chefs in Pakistan highlighting the growing recognition of Pakistani cuisine and culinary education worldwide.
About the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge (TUCC):
TUCC is one of Asia’s leading culinary competitions, held annually as part of the THAIFEX – Anuga Asia trade show. It attracts top culinary talent from across the world and provides a platform for chefs to demonstrate their skills under the scrutiny of internationally certified judges.
