Seven chefs representing different regions of the country participated in the decisive stage of the competition. Each of them successfully passed the preliminary selection and brought their unique recipe for a hot dish, specially developed for the school menu, to the capital.
The key requirements for the recipes were their accessibility and healthiness: the cost of one portion should not exceed 30 soms, and the ingredients must be locally produced, with mandatory inclusion of vegetables or fruits.
The final part of the competition consisted of three stages, which assessed the participants' creative abilities, their knowledge of sanitary standards, and practical skills.
The finalists showcased their dishes, sharing ideas on their creation and cooking features. The jury, in turn, evaluated the taste, presentation aesthetics, and justification of why the dish should be included in the school menu.
The winner was Altynai Jarmatova, a chef from the A.Toraliev Secondary School in the Batken region. Second place went to Sayrakan Mambetalieva, representing School No. 64 in Bishkek, while Lunara Saadabekova from the S.Duyshenbiev Secondary School in the Talas region took third place.
All winners received certificates for the purchase of kitchen equipment:
- for first place — 50,000 soms;
- for second place — 30,000 soms;
- for third place — 20,000 soms.
Other finalists were awarded commemorative gifts and certificates.
The competition was held with the support of the Ministry of Education, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the ANO "Institute of Sectoral Nutrition," which addresses student nutrition issues within the CIS framework.
This initiative aims to develop the professional community of school chefs, improve the quality of nutrition in schools, and disseminate best practices throughout the country.
