Young
Chefs
Programme
The World Food Forum (WFF)’s Young Chefs Programme (YCP) equips chefs (aged 18-35) with skills, knowledge and networks to take a leading role in transforming agrifood systems through culinary practices. From advancing better nutrition to promoting food security and biodiversity, its ultimate goal is to create leaders that can inspire and guide other chefs to advocate for more sustainable and healthier consumption habits. Each participant will be paired with a mentor from the World Association of Chefs' Societies network.
YCP Pillars
Capacity Development
- Participants will learn about a variety of topics, including food systems thinking, sustainable nutrition, food safety, gender responsive nutrition and more, to develop their technical knowledge and become agents of change for agrifood systems transformation.
- Participants will learn about these topics through online masterclasses delivered by technical experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partner organizations. Each participant will be paired with a mentor from the World Association of Chefs' Societies network.
Advocacy
- Participants will be encouraged to develop public awareness campaigns and social media content to inspire those within their communities and beyond to take action.
- Participants will represent the programme at high-level events and global fora, including the WFF flagship event to advocate for better nutrition, food security and biodiversity.
Local Action
- Participants will formulate projects in their communities.
- These projects will be developed with the support of mentors to address local agrifood systems needs, based on participants' local insight and experience. Additionally, these projects will address the relevant regional priorities of the WFF Youth Assembly’s Global Youth Action Plan (GYAP).
Programme Timeline
Oct–Nov 2025
Call for applications
December 2025
Interviews
January 2026
Onboarding
Jan–June 2026
Capacity development workshops
June 2026
Recipes + community projects launched
October 2026
Presentation of community projects at the WFF flagship event
Jan-Feb 2027
Introduction to new cohort and exchange of knowledge
Learn more and apply today by reading the brochure.
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