Our Story
From an Idea to a Growing European Culinary Competition
The story of GastroErasmus International Cooking Competition began in 2024 with a clear vision: to create an international stage where young culinary talents from vocational and secondary schools across Europe could meet, compete, learn from one another and build friendships through the universal language of gastronomy.
The first GastroErasmus International Cooking Competition was held in 2024 in Antalya, Türkiye, bringing together 16 schools from 10 countries. What started as an ambitious international initiative quickly demonstrated its potential to become much more than a traditional student cooking competition.
From the very first edition, GastroErasmus created an environment where professional competition, vocational education, cultural exchange and European friendship came together around the same table.
Growing Stronger Every Year
Since its first edition in 2024, GastroErasmus has continued to grow year after year.
The second edition in 2025 expanded the international reach of the competition, welcoming an even larger community of students, teachers, schools and culinary professionals from across Europe.
The growth continued with GastroErasmus 2026, which marked another major milestone in the competition's journey. The event brought together 31 schools from 15 countries, 110 students and 65 teachers, transforming GastroErasmus into a truly international meeting point for vocational gastronomy education.
Each edition has brought new countries, new schools, new young talents and new professional connections into the GastroErasmus family.
But our growth is not measured only by numbers.
It is measured by the friendships created between students from different countries, the partnerships established between schools, the professional confidence gained by young chefs, the knowledge exchanged between teachers and the unforgettable experiences participants take home with them.
The Journey Continues: GastroErasmus 2027
Now, the journey continues.
From 20–23 March 2027, GastroErasmus will return for its fourth edition, building on the experience, energy and international community created since 2024.
Our ambition for GastroErasmus 2027 is not simply to organise a bigger competition.
It is to create an even stronger European platform for young culinary talent, vocational excellence, international cooperation and cultural exchange.
Students will once again step into an international competition environment where they can demonstrate their skills, challenge their creativity and proudly represent their schools and countries.
Teachers and schools will meet potential partners, exchange experiences and create opportunities for future European cooperation.
Culinary professionals and international organisations will connect directly with the next generation entering the gastronomy and hospitality sectors.
And once again, different languages, cultures and culinary traditions will meet around one shared passion.
Food.
From 2024 to the Future
What began in 2024 has become a growing international community.
2024 was the beginning.
2025 brought growth.
2026 expanded our international family.
2027 will take GastroErasmus even further.
Our goal is to continue developing GastroErasmus year after year and establish it as a recognised European meeting point for young culinary talent and vocational gastronomy education.
Because GastroErasmus is not simply about discovering the best dish.
It is about discovering young talent, new cultures, professional opportunities and a shared European future through gastronomy.
One Competition. Many Countries. Countless Experiences.
GastroErasmus
Taste the Future, Cook Beyond Borders.