Background and Origin
The International Youth Chef Jamboree (IYCJ) was founded in 2020 as a global platform for cultural exchange, using food as a universal medium of dialogue. The initiative arose from the recognition that cuisine embodies more than sustenance—it reflects collective memory, ecological knowledge, and cultural identity. The Jamboree provides a space where young people from diverse regions can confidently share their heritage, narrate their community stories, and connect with others through the universally relatable experience of food.
Editions and Growth
Since its inception, IYCJ has been hosted in multiple regions across the world, each edition expanding in scale and impact:
The inaugural Jamboree focused on South Asian culinary traditions, engaging over 60 countries and around 6,000 participants.
Highlighted the multicultural landscape of the Americas, welcoming delegations from 25 countries and involving 8,000 participants.
The first Caribbean edition, bringing together more than 65 countries and 10,000 participants.
Integrated sustainable food systems into youth engagement, reaching 40 countries and over 12,000 participants.
Centered on Central American culinary heritage and local culture, with 65+ countries represented and 20,000 participants.
Over five editions, the Jamboree has involved tens of thousands of youth from more than 50 countries, establishing itself as one of the most inclusive and dynamic youth cultural exchange mechanisms globally.
Supporting the dissemination of the Jamboree in diverse regions and ensuring youth organizations and educational institutions can participate effectively.
Connecting schools, youth associations, and partner networks to strengthen collaboration across borders.
Linking the Jamboree with global education frameworks such as Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the UN Youth Strategy, ensuring that outcomes align with international agendas.
This positioning allows SCENES to function as a bridge-builder, strengthening the Jamboree’s ability to connect local youth communities with global initiatives.
Significance and Alignment
The value of IYCJ lies not only in culinary exchange, but also in embedding broader educational and developmental objectives within its framework. Each edition invites youth to explore themes of nutrition, food security, responsible consumption, climate action, and cultural heritage. By framing food as both a cultural expression and a sustainability issue, the Jamboree enables participants to experience the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in tangible, relatable ways.
This alignment echoes the priorities of the UN 2030 Agenda, emphasizing youth agency, intercultural dialogue, and the practical application of sustainable development principles. Through IYCJ, young people are empowered to form cross-cultural friendships, recognize the interconnection between food systems and global challenges, and transform awareness into civic responsibility and action.
by welcoming more countries, institutions, and young people into the network
by integrating culinary exchange with broader SDG-related themes such as climate resilience, social innovation, and cultural preservation.
through the SCENES Digital Certification Platform, ensuring that youth contributions are documented, validated, and internationally visible.
Through these pathways, the International Youth Chef Jamboree will continue to serve as a globally recognized platform for youth empowerment, enabling young people to gain confidence in expressing their cultures, fostering intercultural understanding, and advancing sustainable development in ways that are practical, visible, and transformative.