Deadline: November 16, 2025
Applications are open for the World Food Forum (WFF) Young Chefs Programme 2026-2027. The World Food Forum (WFF)’s Young Chefs Programme (YCP) equips chefs (aged 18-35) with skills, knowledge and networks to take a leading role in transforming agrifood systems through culinary practices.
From advancing better nutrition to promoting food security and biodiversity, its ultimate goal is to create leaders that can inspire and guide other chefs to advocate for more sustainable and healthier consumption habits. Each participant will be paired with a mentor from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies network.
Young Chefs Programme (YCP) Pillars
- Capacity Development
- Participants will learn about a variety of topics, including food systems thinking, sustainable nutrition, food safety, gender responsive nutrition and more, to develop their technical knowledge and become agents of change for agrifood systems transformation.
- Participants will learn about these topics through online masterclasses delivered by technical experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partner organizations. Each participant will be paired with a mentor from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies network.
- Advocacy
- Participants will be encouraged to develop public awareness campaigns and social media content to inspire those within their communities and beyond to take action.
- Participants will represent the programme at high-level events and global fora, including the WFF flagship event to advocate for better nutrition, food security and biodiversity.
- Local Action
- Participants will formulate projects in their communities.
- These projects will be developed with the support of mentors to address local agrifood systems needs, based on participants’ local insight and experience. Additionally, these projects will address the relevant regional priorities of the WFF Youth Assembly’s Global Youth Action Plan (GYAP).
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a culinary professional of at least 18 years of age and no older than 35 by 16 November 2025;
- Have reliable internet connection;
- Have at least one active social media account that can be used for YCP advocacy and outreach activities;
- Demonstrate a commitment to sustainable gastronomy, either through culinary practice or advocacy efforts;
- Have sufficient proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Be able to dedicate between 16–20 hours per month to the role;
- Not be an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, siblings or in-law) of a FAO employee; and
- Not be employed by FAO but can be part of WFF Youth Initiative activities (E.g. YPB, YSG, YRP etc).
Application
Documents required to be uploaded signed working protocol; updated CV (should include relevant volunteer and professional experience and/or academic experience); a professional headshot; and a short video (maximum two minutes) elaborating on how the candidate would contribute to the YCP.
For more information, visit WFF Young Chefs Programme.
