Hungary launched its national selection process for the Bocuse d'Or Europe 2026 with the aim of identifying the chef who would represent the country at the continental selection and potentially earn a place at the Grand Final in Lyon.
The selection took place in Budapest, at the recently opened Hungexpo Congress Center, on 2 October 2025. Three candidates competed for the opportunity to carry Hungary's colours on the international stage.
The competition challenged participants to work around two themes inspired by Hungarian gastronomy, while showcasing technical skill, creativity and culinary identity.
Representing Hungary on the International Stage
At the conclusion of the selection, Roland Kelemen was chosen to represent Hungary.
Executive Chef at Hunguest Hotel Sóstó, he has built his career through a combination of culinary passion, technical expertise and competition experience. Over the years, he has participated in numerous national and international culinary contests, including the Bocuse d'Or Hungary finals, where he achieved strong results on multiple occasions.
Following his national selection victory, Roland Kelemen went on to represent Hungary at the Bocuse d'Or Europe 2026 in Marseille. Competing against 20 European nations, he led Hungary to an impressive 9th-place finish, securing one of the ten qualification spots for the Bocuse d'Or Grand Final, which will take place during Sirha Lyon in January 2027.
Practical information
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