- Ajinomoto joins forces with leading academics and professional partners to empower the next generation of chefs and content creators.
- 'Ajinomoto Young Chef Thailand 2026' attracts more than 130 applicants from over 50 universities across Thailand, bringing fresh perspectives and creative ideas to healthy and delicious cuisine.
Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd., a global leader in nutrition-based food innovation, announces the finalists of 10 'Young Chef' teams and 10 'Young Creator' teams for the 'Ajinomoto Young Chef Thailand 2026' campaign to bring the "Eat Well, Live Well." philosophy to life by integrating nutrition and deliciousness to relate to the new generation's lifestyle and promoting their future well-being. This initiative partners with leading academics and professional partners to combine culinary creativity, food science, nutrition, and digital storytelling to inspire healthier eating habits among young people, receiving positive engagement from 130 applicants from over 50 universities across Thailand.
Ajinomoto Young Chef Thailand 2026
Organized by Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd., in collaboration with Dusit Thani College and the School of Communication Arts, Bangkok University, the initiative is empowering talented university students to turn their ideas into action through two key activities:
- Young Chefs: Creativity Meets Healthy and Delicious Culinary Creations with a total prize value of THB 300,000Young chefs are challenged to transform local ingredients into modern and healthier dishes under the concept "Nutrition without Compromise," which emphasizes tasty, accessible everyday meals that highlight the local way of life and support local ingredients. The food creation will integrate the NPS-M (Nutrient Profiling System for Meals) as the benchmark for healthy meal evaluation.
- Young Creators: From Idea to ImpactYoung creators develop creative content about Young Chef competition journey, healthy meals, and nutrition into relatable stories that inspire healthier eating habits among the next generation.
The initiative is also supported by leading academic and professional partners, including the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thai Dietetic Association, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, and Darwintech Solution (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Ms. Kesya Chaicharncheep, Director of Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd., said, "As a leading global well-being company, Ajinomoto combines its nutrition expertise and deep understanding of the food industry with 'AminoScience', which drives the development of innovative food products and solutions. As young people become more health-conscious, we see them as a powerful force shaping the future. Now in its second year, our campaign brings together leading partners to nurture young talent through an intensive food and nutrition camp. By connecting culinary creativity with food science, nutrition, and digital communication, we aim to turn their ideas into real opportunities, inspire healthier eating habits, and bring well-being to life.
Dr. Atthawet Prougestaporn, Rector of Dusit Thani College, shared that "Today, knowledge of nutrition and food science plays an increasingly important role in culinary arts. Recognizing this, Dusit Thani College has introduced its Food Technology and Creative Culinary Arts program, which closely aligns with the concept behind this competition. We are therefore proud to partner with Ajinomoto Young Chef Thailand 2026 to inspire the creation of Thai dishes that are both delicious and healthy. We also hope to see the next generation of Thai chefs showcase the potential of Thai cuisine on the global stage."
Mr. Salas Supalakwatchana, Global Creator and Influencer Branding Program, School of Communication Arts, Bangkok University, said, "This collaboration provides students with a valuable opportunity to apply their creativity and communication skills to make nutrition information more engaging and easier to understand. By working alongside Young Chefs, our Young Creators can transform the value of healthy eating into compelling stories that resonate with their generation and encourage positive everyday food choices."
Meet the 10 Young Chef Finalist Teams and Young Creators
The 10 Young Chef finalist teams include: 1. Team J.N.T. (Jao Na Tee), 2. Team Jad Jan Yaan Dusit, 3. Team Chan Yaak Maa Rue Nee, 4. Team Tee Langa Dern, 5. Team Noir, 6. Team Powerpuff Krua, 7. Team Was Was Was, 8. Team 3 In One, 9. Team Powerpuff Girl, and 10. Team Welcome. Throughout the competition journey, 10 Young Creator teams from Bangkok University are collaborating with the finalists of Young Chefs to create engaging digital content, sharing their culinary journeys and inspiring younger audiences through creative storytelling. At the Ajinomoto Young Chef 2026 press conference, Chef Bush - Lerchan Goh-air unveiled the final-round challenge and shared his perspectives on culinary creativity, including how local ingredients can be reimagined into modern dishes that appeal to younger generations.
Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy interactive booths, discover how to create balanced meals, and sample creative dishes prepared by the 10 finalist teams, experiencing firsthand how deliciousness and healthy nutrition can go hand in hand.
Follow the journey of Thailand's next generation of chefs and creators on the Facebook Fan Page: Ajinomoto Young Chef Thailand and at www.ajinomoto.co.th. Show your support for all 10 finalist teams at the Final Competition on 17 December 2026 at Dusit Thani College, Bangkok, as they showcase their creativity in crafting Thai cuisine that combines great taste with good nutrition under the concept "Nutrition without Compromise."
Key Messages: Ajinomoto / Eat Well, Live Well / Ajinomoto Young Chef Thailand / Nutrition / Young Chef / Healthy / University Campaign
