Germany’s International Exhibition of Culinary Art or IKA is the culinary equivalent of the sporting Olympics and is host to the world’s largest culinary exhibition held every four years, often in Erfurt, Germany.
The world renowned competition was initially set up by a group of German chefs in 1896. The aim of the competition was for the chefs to share German cuisine with the world while learning about other cooking cultures. The first contest was held in Frankfurt in 1900 with only four nations taking part. Initially named, the International Verband Koche Deutschland, the competition was banned during World War Two as part of Hitler’s ban of all international societies. Until 1996 all events took place in Frankfurt before being housed in Berlin for four years. Since 2000 they have all been staged in Erfurt, Germany.
Hailed as the world’s most prestigious culinary competition, the chefs who voluntarily take part are regarded as the elite athletes of the culinary world.
The last event held in 2012 involved 54 nations and saw over 1, 600 chefs take part worldwide with Sweden taking home the gold, a huge leap from the mere four who participated in the first year of the competition.
Battling it out against 30 nations this year will be a six strong team of scots from various sectors of the Scottish hospitality industry. With additional support from a back-up team of eight, the chefs aim to showcase the best of Scottish produce - which will include Scotch Lamb PGI sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland. Handpicked by the Federation of Chefs Scotland, the team will be led by Robbie Penman along with team captain, Orry Shand, Bruce Lawrence, Darren Seggie, and Pastry Chefs Andrew Mackay and Melissa Wood.
Robbie Penman, Team Captain
29 year old Robbie, has been selected as this year’s team captain and is a chef at Peebles Hydro Hotel and Spa near the River Tweed.
Orry Shand, Team Captain
Chef, Orry Shand is the head chef at the Chester Hotel in Aberdeen. Last year Orry was awarded ‘Overall Chef of the Year’ by the North East of Scotland Chef and Restaurant Awards
Bruce Lawrence
Bruce, who currently lives in Aberdeen, works as an executive chef for Scotland’s largest independent contract catering and support services, Entier Ltd.
Darren Seggie
Darren Seggie, from Blairgowrie, is head chef at Stravaigin Glasgow. A former Blairgowrie High School pupil Darren has competed in various competitions including making it through to the regional heats in the Nestle Professional Toque D'Or last year as part of City of Glasgow College.
Andrew Mackay
Head Pastry Chef at Trump Turnberry Resort, Andrew Mackay is a former Carluke High School student and now lives in Girvan, South Ayrshire.
Melissa Wood
Melissa is a pastry chef at Andrew Fairlie Restaurant in Gleneagles. Melissa, originally from Deskford, Scotland