Hungarian Food 2026 – Masters of the Future and the Flavors of Folk Tales on One Stage

Three competitions – one common goal

• Food of Hungary 2026: a cooking competition inspired by Hungarian folk tales with the theme “Fairytale dishes”, where the best entry will win the prestigious title.
• Young Master of the Profession 2026: Young chef, pastry chef and waiter trainees will compare their knowledge in a realistic environment, in individual and team competitions.
• “Once upon a time, there was…” drawing competition: Children and young people can show in their drawings how food appears in the world of folk tales. All this for career orientation purposes.

Dates and locations

The finals and the announcement of results will take place over two days, 2026. The competition will take place on April 25–26 at the Szolnok Campus of the University of Debrecen, where the live-work competitions will conclude with a festive awards ceremony and exhibition.

Why is it worth entering?

In recent years, the “Food of Hungary” competition has grown into a prestigious professional recognition: the winners have not only received national attention, but their food and work have become a symbol of the renewal of Hungarian gastronomy. Every year, the competition contributes to the meeting of traditional flavors and modern culinary art, and thus our cultural heritage becomes alive in a new form for future generations.

The “Young Master of the Profession” competition for young professionals is of special importance: it forms a bridge between the world of education and work, giving students and career starters the opportunity to prove their knowledge in a real environment. This competition not only offers professional development, but also strengthens the connection between schools, training institutions and the hospitality industry, thus helping young people to confidently enter professional life.

The “Once upon a time, where was not…” drawing competition appeals to the creativity of children and young people: it brings them closer to gastronomy and the world of hospitality through the world of folk tales. The drawings of a scone baked in ashes, a royal feast or a magical meal not only develop imagination and artistic flair, but also show in a playful way how rich the Hungarian cultural heritage is.

Mandatory ingredients

The dishes participating in the Food of Hungary 2026 competition must show the meeting of tradition and innovation, while using the following ingredients:

• choice pig meat (8–10 weeks old),
• Naszálytej Zrt. Magic Milk lactose-free natural Greek cream yogurt,
• Szatmári Malom flours and milling products,
• Bonduelle Food Service corn products (crumbled or tubular, frozen or canned).

In addition, each entry must include:

• at least one BIO-certified product,
• as well as an ingredient with a registered trademark in Hungary (e.g. Hungarikum, HÍR, Kiskun trademark).

Message

It is particularly important that all three initiatives also address Hungarian communities beyond the border: the competitions and applications are open to Hungarians living in separated areas and in the diaspora. Thus, the programs not only create professional and cultural value, but also strengthen the sense of national belonging and provide an opportunity for the Hungarians of the Carpathian Basin and the world to jointly build the gastronomic and cultural future.

The common mission of the three initiatives is to build the future of Hungarian gastronomy by combining tradition and innovation and to involve the younger generations. Whether it is food, professional knowledge or drawing – each participant contributes to keeping the heritage of Hungarian folk tales and flavors alive.