RECAP: FOOD INNOVATION SUMMIT 2025

 🌱 A 3-day journey of food innovation summit 2025

From July 23 to 25, 2025, at The Caterers’ Head Office, the Food Innovation Summit 2025 brought together nearly 60 staff members from international school kitchens across our network. More than just an intensive learning program, this event was a vibrant platform for connection, creativity, and culinary inspiration in the school catering space.

📌 DAY 1 – ORIENTATION & INSPIRATION
Participants were guided by an experienced lineup of speakers:

• CEO Darren White and COO Trần Đăng Đàn shared the vision and goals of the program
• Dr. Nguyễn Phương Anh provided insights into core nutrition knowledge

Chef Yannick, our International Executive Chef, delivered a session on culinary fundamentals

Key highlights included:
✅ Methods for building nutritionally balanced menus
✅ Insights on seasonal and regional ingredients
✅ Guidelines for designing themed (Western, Asian) school menus

📌 DAY 2 – WORKSHOP & CREATIVE CHALLENGE
The atmosphere heated up as teams tackled the menu innovation challenge:
🍽️ Design a 4-week lunch menu (Western & Asian) for both Primary and High School students
🎯 With strict requirements: proper portions, cost control, nutrition standards, and new, never-served main dishes
🧠 Teams worked enthusiastically to finalize their recipes and prep for test cooking the following day

📌 DAY 3 – TESTING, JUDGING & CELEBRATION
🔥 The big day arrived! Each team had 75 minutes to prepare and present their new dishes, from receiving ingredients to plating.
🌟 A judging panel—comprising Board of Directors, Mentors, and Department Heads—evaluated each dish on:
Taste – Nutrition – Feasibility – Cost Efficiency

🎉 The event concluded with a warm gratitude party and an award ceremony to honor the most outstanding teams.

💡 LOOKING AHEAD
The Food Innovation Summit 2025 not only ended with new menus—it marked the beginning of a renewed commitment to elevating school meal quality.

“Nourishing the next generation with wholesome meals.”

——————