Tainan World Catering Art Challenge debuts with 581 contestants reaching a new high

The 2026 Tainan Food City World Catering Art Challenge (2026TWCAC for short) opened grandly today, marking the 3rd edition of the international catering event. This year’s event has a total of 34 competition categories, and has attracted craftsmen from many countries to sign up. The total number of people has reached 581, setting a new record. It once again demonstrates Tainan’s achievements in promoting international culinary exchanges and cultivating catering talents.

This year’s competition brings together catering staff, hotel chefs and young students from Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Myanmar to compete and exchange in cooking, baking and catering arts. There are a total of 34 competition categories, including 6 groups in the live cooking category, 21 groups in the baking art category, 2 groups in the beverage concoction category, and 5 groups in the static cold exhibition category. The live cooking category will be held at Evergreen University on October 26, and the baking art, beverage mixing and static cold exhibition categories will be held at the Formosa Yacht Hotel on October 27 and 28. Through international competitions and exchanges, Tainan cuisine will continue to connect with the world.

Mayor Huang Weizhe said that Tainan is a nationally renowned gastronomy capital, and hosting international catering competitions hopes to provide a platform for culinary exchange and advancement, allowing young Taiwanese students and senior craftsmen to compete in skills and learn from each other, taking into account both traditional craftsmanship and innovative performance, thereby enhancing the international visibility of Tainan’s cuisine. This year’s competition attracted contestants from many countries to showcase the diverse international catering characteristics.

Lin Guohua, acting director of the Tourism Bureau, said that the competition is not only a stage for culinary competition, but also an opportunity to promote industry-university cooperation and international talent exchange. Participants can improve their skills, stimulate creativity, and accumulate practical experience through professional review guidance and peer competition. The city government hopes to use international competitions to connect catering education, industry and tourism resources to promote the inheritance and innovation of Tainan’s food culture.