Kurdish Chefs Join Iraq’s Culinary Association

Among the 21 new members of the Iraqi Chefs Association, 11 are Kurdish, showcasing the region's rich culinary heritage on the national stage.

21 new members of the Iraqi Chefs Association. (Photo: Kurdistan24)
21 new members of the Iraqi Chefs Association. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

Jan. 24, 2025

EERBIL (kurdistan24) –11 Kurdish chefs have been selected as new members of the Iraqi Chefs Association. This marks a historic achievement as Kurdish chefs now gain official recognition in a national culinary body.

Ibrahim Abdulmajid, the spokesperson for the Tourism Board, announced to Kurdistan24. “After nearly a month of collaborative efforts between our team and the Iraqi Tourism team, we succeeded in finalizing the selection of members for the Iraqi Chefs Association. Following three stages of assessments, 21 chefs were chosen to represent Iraq,” he said.

Among the 21 new members of the Iraqi Chefs Association, 11 are Kurdish, showcasing the region's rich culinary heritage on the national stage.

Abdulmajid further explained that, until now, Iraq's participation in international culinary events had not been structured through formal selections.

“Previously, Iraq participated in international festivals and competitions through various teams, but now, with this new initiative, Iraq will be represented by a formal selection of chefs,” he added.

The inclusion of Kurdish chefs is expected to raise awareness about Kurdish cuisine globally, with Abdulmajid noting that this will provide an opportunity to showcase the distinct flavors and traditions of Kurdish food.

In Dec. 2024, Erbil hosted a high-stakes culinary competition featuring 400 talented chefs from the Kurdistan Region, with only 15 chefs earning the prestigious honor of representing the region in an upcoming international chef competition.