Tajikistan is launching the fifth anniversary edition of the Best School Cook 2026 competition. Over the years, the competition has become an important professional platform for school cooks and a key element in strengthening the country’s school feeding system. It contributes to improving the quality and safety of school meals, supports the professional growth of participants, and reinforces unified standards across school canteens.
The competition is held within the framework of the UN WFP’s School Feeding Programme, with the support of the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), which serves as the CIS Base Organization for School Feeding, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan.
In 2026, the competition is held under the motto Tradition. Safety. Innovation. This theme reflects the key priorities of the modern school feeding system in the country: respect for national culinary traditions, strict compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards, and the introduction of modern approaches to preparing and serving meals for children.
Who can participate
The competition is open to cooks and school kitchen staff from schools participating in the School Feeding Programme who have at least three years of professional experience. To apply, candidates must complete an application form, attach a scanned copy or photo of a valid medical certificate, and submit a short motivation essay or a video introduction of up to two minutes, sending all documents by email to ozmunioshpazon@gmail.com.
Applications will be accepted from April 15 to May 15, 2026. Following the initial selection by the jury, shortlisted participants will take part in online training covering hygiene standards, the use of flowcharts, and preparation for the competition stages.
Competition format
The competition will be held in several stages: application review, province-level semifinals, and the final round in Dushanbe.
At each stage, participants will demonstrate not only their culinary skills, but also their knowledge of sanitation requirements, their ability to organize the workspace efficiently, use ingredients rationally, operate equipment, prepare technical documentation, and calculate the cost of dishes.
During the semifinals, participants will prepare a mandatory set of dishes: a first course, a main course, a salad, a drink, and a baked product. In the final, the five best school cooks in the country will present a signature dish, complete a practical assignment, and take part in a professional rapid-fire quiz.
Strong focus on mentorship
One of the distinctive features of the 2026 competition is its emphasis on mentorship. Finalists and winners from previous years will support new participants through training sessions and hands-on guidance in the provinces. This approach will not only help transfer valuable experience but also strengthen the professional community of school cooks across the country.
Awards and recognition
The final round of the competition will bring together five school cooks representing the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), Sughd Province, Kulob and Bokhtar areas (Khatlon Province), and the Districts of Republican Subordination.
Winners and prize recipients will be awarded diplomas, commemorative prizes, certificates for household appliances, as well as sets of tableware and professional kitchen equipment for their school canteens. The top prize of the competition is the perpetual Golden Spoon award.
The Best School Cook of Tajikistan 2026 competition is not only an opportunity to identify the country’s top professionals but also a way to highlight the importance of the work carried out by school cooks, who ensure that children receive hot, safe, and high-quality meals every day.
For this reason, the competition has become an important part of developing a modern school feeding culture in Tajikistan, built on professionalism, responsibility, respect for tradition, and care for children.
