On May 15, the "Golden Shah" National Culinary Championship kicked off as part of the "InterFood 2024" International Food Industry Exhibition.

The three-day championship is organized by the Azerbaijan Culinary Specialists Association (ACSA) with the support of the State Tourism Agency and the Azerbaijan National Culinary Center, in partnership with the World Association of Chefs' Societies (Worldchefs).

Since its inception in 2019, the championship has brought together over 170 local and more than 25 international chefs, competing in both individual and team-based categories. The participants will be evaluated by a jury panel of internationally certified judges representing over 22 countries affiliated with Worldchefs.

The primary goal of the championship is to contribute to the development of gastronomy, expand gastronomic tourism potential, and enhance the skills of local chefs through exposure to international culinary expertise. Additionally, the event aims to promote Azerbaijani national cuisine on a global scale, ensuring that international chefs learn about its unique preparation methods and positioning Azerbaijan as a leading gastronomic tourism destination.

Notably, the "Golden Shah" National Culinary Championship has also secured the right to host the "Gold Shah" Continental Chefs Championship in collaboration with Worldchefs. As the first officially recognized national championship by Worldchefs, the event has gained the ability to welcome teams from other countries, while also improving competition standards and attracting higher-level judges.