Golden Eye Chef 2026: A Global Celebration of Culinary Talent, Courage and Inclusion

Chefs from 11 countries unite through food, resilience and inspiring personal stories; jury awards and the People’s Choice Award to be announced on 31 October.

AGRA, INDIA | 28 October 2026: Golden Eye Chef 2026, the international cooking competition for blind and visually impaired chefs, will announce its results at the Global Recognition Ceremony on 31 October 2026. Organised by Antardrishti and themed “The Global Table – Many Kitchens, One Family,” this edition has brought together 19 official competition entries and one Special Showcase, representing 11 countries.

The competition celebrates the creativity, independence and determination of chefs who are redefining what is possible in the kitchen. Through their entries, participants have shared their food, cultural traditions and personal stories with a global audience.

One Global Table, Many Stories

This year’s theme comes alive through the dishes, stories and culinary traditions shared by participants from around the world, from Indori Khopra Patis in India to Sabores del Hogar from Colombia, Boat of Nations from Mozambique, Northern Iranian Stuffed Eggplant from Iran, Boorsok from Kyrgyzstan, Ukrainian Borscht from Ukraine, United by Taste from North Macedonia and Guisote Gastoreño from Spain.

The 11 participating countries are India, Colombia, Mozambique, Guatemala, Slovenia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Spain and the United States.

What makes this year’s competition especially meaningful is the participation of chefs from Iran and Ukraine, countries experiencing war and conflict. Despite difficult circumstances, participants from both countries have chosen to share their culinary skills and stories with the world. Their contributions remind us that food can cross borders, connect people and preserve our shared humanity even in the most difficult times.

Courage Beyond the Kitchen

For Iranian participant Masoumeh Shafiei Mirsadeghi, participating meant navigating the wider conflict and difficult conditions in Iran, alongside additional practical obstacles, including poor internet connectivity while recording and submitting her entry. Ukrainian participant Nataliia Burdeina also brought her culinary talent to the competition while her country continued to endure the devastating effects of war.

Their participation reflects a determination that extends beyond the kitchen. Golden Eye Chef celebrates not only culinary achievement but also the effort, commitment and courage involved in sharing one’s abilities despite challenging circumstances.

“Golden Eye Chef has always been about more than a competition. Every participant brings a unique story, a culinary tradition and the determination to be recognised for their abilities. The participation of chefs from countries facing extraordinary difficulties reminds us why this platform matters. We want the world to see their talent, respect their journeys and recognise what they bring to the global culinary community,” said Akhil Srivastava, Founder of Golden Eye Chef and Managing Trustee of Antardrishti.

An Experienced Jury

The 2026 entries were evaluated by three distinguished culinary professionals:

• Chef Ajay Sood is a veteran hospitality professional with more than four decades of experience. A former Senior Executive Chef at TajSATS, he now works as an independent hospitality and culinary consultant, mentor and advisor. He received the Legends of Indian Hospitality Award in 2025.
• Chef Nand Lal Sharma is President of the Him Aanchal Chefs Association and Deputy General Manager at the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. With over 37 years of experience, he is internationally recognised for promoting regional Indian cuisine and holds a Guinness World Record for preparing and serving the world’s largest bean and rice dish, weighing 1,995 kg.
• Dr. Izzat Husain is a celebrity chef, Unani physician and culinary educator from the royal family of Awadh. He is known for his distinctive approach to traditional Awadhi cuisine, combining culinary heritage with health-conscious cooking.

People’s Choice Award

The People’s Choice Award was conducted separately from the jury awards, recognising audience engagement with the chefs’ video entries through the official Golden Eye Chef YouTube channel. Its result will be announced alongside the jury awards at the Global Recognition Ceremony on 31 October 2026.

Too Young to Compete. Never Too Young to Inspire.

This edition also featured a Special Showcase by 17-year-old Braden Burby from the United States, who has partial sight and rare genetic conditions. His contribution, Lemon Rice Soup, was not eligible for competition awards.

Braden’s participation reflects the inclusive spirit of Golden Eye Chef: creating opportunities for people to share their abilities, tell their stories and inspire others, regardless of age or circumstance.

Beyond the Competition

The conclusion of Golden Eye Chef 2026 is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the participating chefs and the stories they have shared with audiences across the world. The competition celebrates a simple but powerful belief: culinary talent is not defined by sight, but by skill, experience, adaptation and passion.

Founded in 2019 by Akhil Srivastava, Golden Eye Chef is organised by Antardrishti, an Agra-based organisation working to advance inclusion and opportunities for people with visual disabilities. Guided by its tagline, “Cooking Beyond Seeing,” the platform celebrates culinary excellence while challenging assumptions about blindness and professional capability.