College Represents Scotland at Young Chef Olympiad 2025

City of Glasgow College student Kaylyn MacNab recently showcased her culinary talents on the global stage at the Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious student culinary competitions. Competing against one hundred teams from forty-nine countries, Kaylyn demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and professionalism throughout the competition.

Accompanied by lecturer and mentor Hayley McCook, Kaylyn travelled to India, where the competition was held across multiple locations, including Goa, Pune, and Kolkata. The event featured a challenging first round, where competitors prepared a vegetarian main course, a choux pastry-based dessert, and an egg skills test involving omelettes, poached eggs, and scrambled eggs.

Beyond the competition, Kaylyn took part in the United World of Young Chefs event, where she had the opportunity to cook a traditional Scottish dish created in collaboration with students at the International Institute of Hotel Management in India. This cultural exchange was a key highlight of her experience, allowing her to connect with aspiring chefs from around the world.

Kaylyn stated: “This was a fantastic cultural experience and an amazing opportunity to immerse myself in a country and culture very different from my own.”

Kaylyn formed strong friendships with fellow competitors and hopes to maintain these connections in the future. Her participation on the international stage was an invaluable learning experience. The College would like to thank Hayley McCook for her dedication and mentorship. Hayley stated:

“It was a privilege to be a part of Team City, representing Scotland for YCO 2025. I'm proud of Kaylyn and all the hard work she put in for this competition. Getting to spend time with people from all over the world and learn about their culture truly was a fantastic experience for both of us.”

Finally, a huge thank you goes to the Savoy Educational Trust, whose support made this incredible opportunity possible. Thanks to their funding, Kaylyn was able to travel to India and compete in this life-changing event. We are incredibly proud of Kaylyn’s achievement and look forward to supporting future students in representing Scotland on the world stage.