Milena Asenova awarded Bulgaria's best young chefs from the stage of the National Vocational Competition 2025
Every culinary masterpiece is born by the hands and imagination of a chef who knows close to perfection the potential of different products and techniques and can turn them into an enchanting, appetizing reality. But true chefs are not born - they are created. Resolutely, with perseverance and dedication to quality. This is also the mission of Olimport - help in the professional development and growth of the new generation of chefs in Bulgaria, the people who will put our country in its deserved place on the culinary map of the world.
Following this mission, for years Olimport have been working in close cooperation with national and private culinary schools and colleges in Bulgaria. Competition after competition, initiative after initiative – we provide key, interesting products from our portfolio to talented students free of charge, to help them meet first-hand the taste and nature of high-quality olive oil, olives, balsamic vinegar, and discover their immense culinary opportunities. The special prizes that Olimport provides to the most outstanding students help them become better professionals. Our partnership with proactive, contentious directors and teachers is also important – we work with them on various projects for the development of culinary education in Bulgaria. Our executive director Milena Asenova happily and enthusiastically shares her knowledge of various products and their application in culinary arts in lectures, presentations and professional trainings.
Not a single chef has ever become a true professional without working in a real kitchen – with real orders, colleagues and clients. Students need practical experience to understand their profession in its entirety – with all its challenges, achievements and pleasures. To provide them with this opportunity, Olimport partners with authoritative professionals from the industry in the form of various tourism, restaurant and hotel associations. We believe that public and private sectors must work together, in order that Bulgaria’s young talents receive not only the necessary education, but also the inspiration to remain and develop in our country. This policy is key to the sustainable development of Bulgaria's national tourism and will make it more attractive for both foreigners and Bulgarians.
The final round of the National Vocational Competition, Profile Tourism and Restaurant Management, which took place after Easter at the Rila Hotel, Borovets, was one of Olimport's key participations for 2025. Olimport was a partner and sponsor of the event, and Milena Asenova captivated the audience with an inspiring speech dedicated to tourism as a strategic industry.
“I believe that competitions develop the industry – they stimulate students to acquire knowledge and skills, motivate them to improve their qualifications, build personal qualities and distinguish the best, who our national tourism will rely on in the future!” – said Mrs. Asenova. “My full admiration to you all for your faith, effort and support for professional education in tourism, which leaves a mark. Tourism is a strategic industry for our country, and people are its most valuable resource. We must make systematic efforts to bring the industry to a qualitatively new level, and you, the students, should be responsible and extremely proud of these wonderful professions. They are your calling to make people happy by creating experiences for them and a mission, because each of you will contribute for Bulgaria being a recognizable and attractive tourist destination. Remember that the future of tourism in Bulgaria depends on your knowledge, skills and love for the profession!”.
At this point in her speech, Mrs. Asenova presented a special statuette to Mrs. Yulia Pandzherova, a senior lecturer at the Sofia Vocational High School of Tourism. For years, Olimport has been building the future of the Bulgarian culinary scene and culture together with Mrs. Pandzherova, and the statuette is a recognition of her support for the professional development of young chefs from the vocational high schools of tourism.
All finalists in the Best Young Chef category then took the stage together with their teachers. Mrs. Asenova addressed the students: “All of you who reached the final round are winners! You, the students, are the new culinary stars of Bulgaria! I believe in you without any restrain. I wish you culinary inspiration, love and passion for the profession!”.
When the audience's applause tuned down, Mrs. Asenova also addressed the teachers: "Special admiration for the most important people on the path to success - the people who ignite the spark of inspiration, the hidden heroes - the teachers. For your dedicated work and the victories achieved by your students!".
After these touching words, Mrs. Asenova awarded all students and teachers with special certificates from Olimport in recognition of their diligence, dedication and efforts.
The Best Young Chef 2025 competition was extremely contested. The authoritative and fair jury named Dimitar Petrov from the Sofia Vocational High School of Tourism as the winner. He was awarded the title of Best Young Chef of Bulgaria for 2025. His teachers are Mrs. Maria Apostolova and Mrs. Elena Petkova. Olimport provided the winner with a generous cash prize, which he will invest in his future professional training and development.
"Educational programs and students' practices must change immediately. We must act immediately, because otherwise we are losing staff at school level. Together we can do more - the professionals and experts in the industry! Congratulations to everyone and keep up the good work and a steady pace forward!" - concluded Mrs. Asenova, amidst the well-deserved ovations of the audience.
