Sodexo honors its chefs and culinary excellence at the international finale of the Cook for Change! competition

Sodexo Cook for Change

On March 24, 2026, Sodexo hosted the international Grand Finale of Cook for Change!, its sustainable chef challenge, in London, bringing together clients and partners. For this fourth edition, Sodexo awarded the talent, creativity, and commitment of its chefs in promoting food that is delicious, healthy, and sustainable.

An international finale showcasing culinary creativity and commitment

After several months of competition involving more than 500 chefs, nine finalists from eight countries competed in a final cook-off before an outstanding jury of renowned chefs and industry experts, including:

  • Frédéric Anton – Meilleur Ouvrier de France and multi-starred Chef (Pré Catelan – 3 Michelin stars, Jules Verne – 2 Michelin stars, Don Juan II – 1 Michelin star)
  • Anna Haugh – TV presenter and Executive Head Chef/owner of Myrtle Restaurant in London
  • Lloyd Mann – Sodexo’s Global Executive Chef
  • Sinéad McLaughlin – Regional Corporate Chef at Rational, partner of Sodexo
  • Jessie Sommarström – Executive Chef from Sodexo Sweden and Nobel Prize Banquet Chef 

The finalists’ challenge was to create a dish that was tasty, healthy and creative, while having a low environmental impact.
 

The 2026 award winners recognise excellence and impact

At the end of the competition, three prizes were awarded:

  • Chef of the Year 2026: Robert Janse (Netherlands) for his “Smoked Kohlrabi with Miso, White Bean Cream and Kombucha Beurre Blanc”
  • Culinary Innovation Award: Gordon Carberry (UK & Ireland) for his “Miso Roasted Parsnip with Textures of Parsnip, Wild Rice, Crispy Chickpeas and Aquafaba Mayonnaise”.
  • Impact at Scale Award: Randall Prudden (United-States) for his “Whole Pumpkin with Roasted Maitake Mushroom & Mole Negro”.
     

An inspiring celebration

The awards ceremony also served as an opportunity to underscore the need to reconcile taste, culinary expertise and transformation of food systems, notably through remarks by Brent Loken.

The science is clear: we must transform our food system to address climate, nature, and health challenges. Chefs, through their creativity and influence, play a major role in making healthy and sustainable food tasty, accessible, and desirable. Initiatives like Cook for Change! are essential to show that healthy and sustainable eating is possible.

Brent LokenGlobal Food Lead Scientist at WWF

A showcase of Sodexo’s commitment in support of its clients

Beyond the competition itself, Cook for Change! demonstrates how Sodexo’s culinary expertise creates value for its clients. Through food offers that are both tasty, healthy and sustainable, Sodexo meets growing consumer expectations while helping its clients achieve their performance and sustainability objectives.

Cook for Change! is a powerful illustration of our ability to support clients in transforming their food offers. Thanks to the creativity and passion of our chefs around the world, we deliver practical solutions that bring together great taste, nutritional quality and a positive impact. I am proud to see our teams helping, every day, to make food a driver of sustainable performance.

Thierry Delaporte
Thierry DelaporteSodexo Group CEO

The standard of this year’s competition was outstanding. The chefs created dishes that were accomplished, creative and full of personality. It is a real source of pride to see such a diversity of approaches.

Frédéric AntonPresident of the Cook for Change! jury

The Grand Finale was streamed live on YouTube, allowing a wide audience to follow this international event celebrating culinary creativity. For more information on the challenge, the finalists and their dishes, please consult the dedicated press kit.

The replay is available here:

Associated Contents

Jessie Sommarström

Sodexo Executive Chef Jessie Sommarström Receives the prestigious KTH Great Prize 2026 in Sweden

Food has the power to improve wellbeing, bring people together and support a more sustainable future. That belief has guided the work of Jessie Sommarström, Executive Chef at Sodexo Sweden, who has been awarded the KTH Great Prize 2026, one of Sweden's most prestigious recognitions for societal impact and innovation, for advancing sustainable, nutritious and accessible food for all.
Sustainability-award

Sodexo wins the Sustainability Excellence Award at the World Sustainability Awards 2026

Sodexo won the Sustainability Excellence Award at the World Sustainability Awards 2026, held on October 22, 2026, in Amsterdam. This international award recognizes the Group's ability to embed sustainability into its business model, turning environmental and social commitments into measurable impact and tangible value for its clients, consumers and communities.

Sodexo Partners with Clients to Take Food Waste Reduction Further

In 2025, Sodexo has reduced food waste by 47.6% on sites that have implemented its flagship food waste measurement program - WasteWatch*. Building on this progress and its Better Tomorrow 2028 commitment to reduce food waste by 50%, Sodexo is now working more directly with clients to engage consumers and extend food waste reduction beyond its own kitchens and operations.