1. Eligibility
- Participation is open to blind and visually impaired individuals from any country.
- Participants must be at least 18 years of age on or before 25 July 2026.
- Participants may be required to provide proof of visual impairment or blindness if requested by the organizers.
- Participation is open to all genders, cultures, nationalities, religions, and backgrounds.
2. Competition Categories
Participants may enter in one of the following categories:
- Totally Blind
- Partially Blind / Low Vision
Participants must select the category that best represents their visual condition at the time of registration.
3. Competition Task
Participants must prepare and present one dish under the theme:
“Dish of Togetherness”
Participants are encouraged to share the story behind their dish, including memories, traditions, experiences, special incidents, or moments that make the dish meaningful and bring people together.
4. Video Submission Requirements
- Each participant may submit only one entry.
- The submitted video must be original and created specifically for Golden Eye Chef 2026.
- The maximum video duration is 15 minutes.
- Videos must clearly show the participant preparing and presenting the dish.
- Participants must introduce themselves and the dish they are preparing.
- Participants must explain the story behind the dish as part of their presentation.
- Videos may be recorded in any language.
- Videos must be submitted before the official submission deadline.
- Videos must be submitted in MP4 format whenever possible.
5. Video Recording Rules
- The video should be recorded in landscape (horizontal) mode.
- Participants may pause and resume recording during the cooking process to save time.
- Editing of videos is not permitted.
- Participants may not add background music, visual effects, transitions, filters, subtitles, voice-overs, or any post-production enhancements.
- The submitted video should accurately represent the participant’s cooking process.
- Excessive editing or manipulation may result in disqualification.
6. Cooking Requirements
- The dish must be prepared by the participant.
- Participants should demonstrate their own cooking skills and techniques.
- Participants may use ingredients, tools, and equipment commonly available in their homes or communities.
- There are no restrictions on cuisine, cooking style, or ingredients, provided they comply with local laws and regulations.
- Participants are responsible for following safe cooking practices throughout the preparation process.
7. Assistance During Cooking
- Golden Eye Chef celebrates independent cooking and personal achievement.
- Participants should perform the cooking process themselves.
- Family members, friends, or assistants may help with video recording.
- Verbal interaction during recording is permitted.
- Direct assistance in food preparation, cooking, seasoning, plating, or any activity that influences the final outcome of the dish is not permitted.
8. Originality and Fair Participation
- All submitted work must be the participant’s own.
- The dish, story, and presentation should genuinely reflect the participant’s experience.
- Plagiarism, misrepresentation, or submission of another person’s work is prohibited.
- Any attempt to manipulate judging or voting processes may result in disqualification.
- Participants must not submit the same entry on behalf of another person.
9. People’s Choice Award
- Eligible entries may be published on Golden Eye Chef platforms for public voting.
- The People’s Choice Award will be determined solely through public voting.
- People’s Choice voting will not influence jury scores.
- Any attempt to generate fraudulent votes, automated votes, or vote manipulation may result in disqualification from the People’s Choice Award.
10. Judging
Entries will be evaluated according to the official judging criteria:
| Category | Marks |
| Cooking Skill & Execution | 35 |
| Creativity & Innovation | 25 |
| Story Behind the Dish & Personal Connection | 25 |
| Theme Connection – Dish of Togetherness | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
The decisions of the jury shall be final and binding.
11. Submission Deadline
- Entries must be submitted on or before the announced deadline.
- Late submissions may not be accepted unless an official extension is announced by the organizers.
12. Respect and Conduct
Participants are expected to uphold the values of inclusion, respect, integrity, and fair participation.
Any content that is offensive, discriminatory, unlawful, abusive, harmful, or inconsistent with the spirit of the competition may be rejected.
13. Organizer’s Rights
Golden Eye Chef reserves the right to verify eligibility, review submissions, request supporting documents, and take necessary actions to ensure the integrity and fairness of the competition.
The organizers may update competition procedures, schedules, categories, or operational requirements when necessary.
All decisions made by the organizers regarding the administration of the competition shall be final.