Bulgaria hosts National Culinary Forum Chef’s Secrets 2026
Тhe fourth edition of the National Culinary Forum for Modern Cuisine, Chef’s Secrets – Evolution of Taste 2026, opened in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Leading chefs are presenting alternative culinary concepts and contemporary cooking techniques. On stage, they prepare both modern recipes and traditional dishes reimagined in innovative ways, CE Report quotes BTA.
"The main goal of the forum is to build a new, stable culinary community in Bulgaria and to ensure continuity between experienced chefs and the younger generation," one of the main organizers, Chef Toni Ivanov told.
He stressed that preserving, developing and interpreting Bulgaria’s national culinary traditions in a modern way is of vital importance.
For the second consecutive year, the forum is being held over two days and features 17 presenters. Among the participating chefs are Hristo Ichev and Stanislav Dimitrov, Victor Zhechev, Henri Donneaux and Yoanna Yordanova, Veselin Kalev, Georgi Boykovski, among others.
Students, trainees and teachers from vocational culinary schools across the country are attending the event. Participants come from 42 towns and cities, including Belogradchik, Vratsa, Sofia, Burgas, Smolyan, and Varna.
Alongside the forum, a culinary exhibition is being held in the foyer of the Stara Zagora Cultural Centre. It showcases unique foods and beverages, as well as professional equipment, clothing and supplies. Among the most innovative products on display are lemonade, yellow cheese and white cheese with saffron, meat delicacies and modern chocolate creations. Visitors can also enjoy artistic fruit and vegetable carvings made from pumpkin and watermelon.
