Chef's Competition

Because of the overwhelming success of last year’s competition, IFSA is proud to announce an exciting opportunity for regional chefs involved in airline/onboard foodservice. The Chef’s Competition will once again be held in conjunction with the upcoming IFSA Global Leadership Conference - Latin America & The Caribbean to be held at the Ramada Plaza Herradura in San Jose, Costa Rica. The difference is that this year, finalists will prepare dessert dishes for the judging process. The deadline for online dessert recipe submission is Friday, January 5, 2007. Expert judges from around the globe involved in onboard foodservice will narrow down entries to the top three finalists. The finalists will receive complimentary registration to the Conference and will prepare their dishes on-site in the kitchen of the host hotel for a panel of judges. The winner will be announced during the Sunday night dinner at Pueblo Antiguo. We hope you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to showcase your talents or encourage someone in your company to participate.

Entrance Criteria (Entry fee of $50 USD applies):

  • Recipe must be dessert dish
  • Recipe must include Latin/Caribbean ingredients
  • Recipe must be either Business Class or Economy Class and should be affordable for each respective category
  • Recipe should serve one passenger
  • Preparation time onboard must be consistent with industry practice
  • Assembly time onboard must be consistent with industry practice
  • No special equipment should be needed to serve onboard
  • Must be able to prepare in a hotel kitchen

Information Required with Online Recipe Submission (English Language Preferred)

  • Biography/CV including number of years involved with in airline/onboard industry
  • Photo of Chef
  • Description of dessert dish
  • Recipe in SI (international system of units or metric measure)
  • Description of preparation process
  • Description of how to serve onboard
  • Photo of dessert dish as it would be served onboard
  • Cost per serving (in USD as feasible)
  • Ingredient sourcing provided (if possible)
  • Photos or video of Chef preparing recipe (optional)

Initial Judging Criteria:

  • All entrance criteria is met
  • All required entry information is submitted
  • Recipe and ingredients are authentic Latin American or Caribbean
  • Dessert dish has general appeal
  • Dessert dish is feasible for onboard environment (e.g., time, cost, preparation)
  • Dessert dish is creative and innovative

Final Judging Criteria:

  • Creative use of Latin/Caribbean ingredients
  • Flavor
  • Plate presentation

Winner Receives:

  • Chef coat with IFSA logo
  • Commemorative plaque
  • Article with photo featured in Onboard IFSA (electronic monthly newsletter), on IFSA Web site and sent to trade media of Chef’s choice via press release
  • Dessert featured by IFSA member airline in Latin America or Caribbean routes as feasible
  • Free airline travel up to a value of $1,000 USD (for personal use)