Nine chefs have been selected as finalists in an international culinary competition hosted by Sodexo, culminating in an awards ceremony livestreamed on YouTube from London on March 24th. The competition challenges participants to create dishes centered around plant-based ingredients, emphasizing seasonality, nutritional value, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Finalists represent Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, India, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Each chef has developed a unique recipe intended to showcase their culinary identity within the competition’s parameters.
Peter Brass of Australia will present a Curried Sweet Potato & Lentil Croquette, accompanied by Herbal Tea-Infused Cauliflower Leaves and Cauliflower Purée, finished with Sweet Potato Chips. Ricardo Machado from Brazil is preparing a Tian of root to stem Beets, mushrooms and Squash, served with a beetroot reduction and root granola. Denisse Galvez, representing Chile, will offer Slow cooked Cochayuyo (seaweed) confit vegetables, Potato Mille-Feuille and young Sprouting shoots.
The United States is represented by two finalists: Randall Prudden, with his dish The Whole Pumpkin with roasted Maitake Mushroom & Mole Negro, and Joel Ryan, who will present a Vegan Panisse “Poutine” with maitake mushroom hemp gravy and cashew curds. Faustine Germain of France is preparing a dish featuring a Perfect poached egg, creamed polenta, tomme de savoie, glazed asparagus with a crispy quinoa and sauce vierge. Gordon Carberry, representing Ireland, will showcase Miso roasted Parsnip with textures of Parsnip, wild rice, crispy chickpeas and aquafaba mayonnaise.
Pravin Nanaware from India will present “Sustainable Sea & Root,” featuring Grilled watermelon sweet potato crisps and candid watermelon marmalade. Robert Janse of the Netherlands will offer Smoked Kohlrabi with miso, white bean cream and kombucha beurre blanc.
A jury of renowned chefs and food experts will evaluate the dishes during a day of competition in London. The awards ceremony will be held alongside Sodexo clients and partners, with a reception following where attendees will sample the finalists’ creations. Sodexo, founded in Marseille in 1966, operates in the Food and Services sector, providing on-site service solutions such as catering and facilities management, according to the company’s YouTube channel.
Sodexo hosted the Spirit of Sodexo Awards in London in 2025 at The Wallace Collection, celebrating excellence within the organization. The upcoming culinary competition and awards ceremony will as well take place in London.
