For the first time in Azerbaijan, the “Karabakh Cup” – National Culinary Heritage Championship was held from October 14 to 16 as part of the “Rebuild Karabakh” international exhibition at the Baku Expo Center.

The championship was organized by the Azerbaijan Culinary Specialists Association with the support of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Culinary Center. Its main goal was to showcase the rich traditions of Azerbaijani cuisine, with a special focus on the culinary heritage of the Karabakh region and to promote it to both local and international audiences.

The “Karabakh Cup” featured competitions in several categories, including traditional and modern national dishes made from various meat products, Karabakh regional cuisine, team contests for youth and adults, an exhibition of regional confectionery, and a display of artistic sculptures made from confectionery items inspired by the Karabakh theme.

Participating chefs competed both individually and in teams, presenting the rich traditions of Azerbaijani cuisine and highlighting the unique culinary heritage of the Karabakh region.

Based on the evaluations of a professional jury composed of master chefs, renowned food experts, and specialists in national cuisine, the winners of the championship were awarded the “Karabakh Cup” trophy, along with gold, silver, and bronze medals in individual and team categories.

Throughout the three-day event, masterclasses were also conducted by prominent gastronomy professionals from Türkiye and Uzbekistan alongside local chefs. During these sessions, participants-particularly young chefs-gained deeper insight into the subtleties of Karabakh and Azerbaijani national cuisine, explored traditional and modern culinary techniques, and exchanged international experience.