Information for visitors

The IKA/Culinary Olympics and the Intergastra trade fair kicked off today in Stuttgart with the parade of nations and the lighting of the "Olympic flame".

Catering trainees from the four state vocational schools for the hotel and catering industry in Baden-Württemberg are the interface between the competition kitchens and guests at the IKA/Culinary Olympics.

In Stuttgart, international Regional Teams present the delicacies of their local area to a wide audience. The exhibitions are “to view only” and show culinary craftsmanship at the highest level.

When the IKA/Culinary Olympics opens its doors in Stuttgart in a few weeks' time, it won't "just" be around 1,200 chefs putting on their chef's jackets. About 60 international judges will be an important part of the competition in Stuttgart. We talked to IKA Jury President Frank Widmann.

Two competitions days per national team and performances at the highest level: The "supreme disciplines" of the IKA/Culinary Olympics are demanding in many respects.

The revised competition category Community Catering will turn the 26th IKA/Culinary Olympics into a stage for international, contemporary cuisine at lunchtime.

From 14 to 19 February 2020, the 25th IKA/Culinary Olympics took place for the first time in Stuttgart. The organiser is delighted with the positive response.

“Bigger, better and for the first time in Stuttgart – once again, we have proven that the IKA/Culinary Olympics is the most renowned and important international culinary competition for chefs”, states Richard Beck, the President of the German Chefs’ Association (VKD). The German Chefs’ Association, Verband der Köche Deutschlands...

The German Chefs‘ Association, Verband der Köche Deutschland e.V., is the organiser of the IKA/Culinary Olympics and as such, also responsible for ensuring the implementation of the hygiene standards, because the menus will be sold on every competition day. Since 2012, the VKD has been counting on their partner...

Without them, there would be no gold medals during the IKA/Culinary Olympics: the jury members. Besides the participating teams, they are the most important authority during this international culinary competition.