The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture’s Zonal Coordination 4 has officially launched the Chef Junior “Creative Manabita Tradition” contest. The event aims to promote cultural identity, educational innovation, and the strengthening of technical high school education in Ecuador. Nine educational institutions from the provinces of Manabí, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, and Galápagos are participating.
The competition invites technical high school students to showcase their culinary skills and creativity while demonstrating knowledge of traditional cuisine. Participants are encouraged to combine ancestral knowledge with modern techniques, focusing on practical learning as a key component of technical training.
Artistic performances highlighting Ecuador’s cultural diversity took place during the launch event. There was also a symbolic presentation of aprons to student participants, representing commitment and discipline as they begin an experience designed to build professional skills and values such as teamwork, identity, and pride in tradition.
Maximiliano Nuñez Tomaselli, Zonal 4 Coordinator for Education, Sport and Culture, emphasized the significance of technical education: “As a Ministry we promote spaces where students can learn by doing, strengthen their cultural identity and project their knowledge into the productive sector. Chef Junior is an example of how education transforms lives when it connects with reality and territory.”
Lorena Cedeño Loor, principal at Unidad Educativa Rocafuerte, highlighted how the contest brings visibility to young talent: “Our students not only learn recipes; they learn history, identity and values. This contest motivates them, strengthens vocation and dignifies technical education by allowing them to look proudly towards the future.”
Joel Saldarriaga from Unidad Educativa Dr. Alfredo Pareja Diezcanseco shared his excitement about participating: “For us it is a great opportunity to show what we learn in class and bring our land’s traditions into every dish. We feel supported by the Ministry and that encourages us to give our best.”
The Chef Junior “Creative Manabita Tradition” contest serves as an educational strategy linking technical training with culture and student engagement. The initiative underlines education’s role as a driver for social and economic development.
With projects like this one, the Ministry reiterates its commitment to creating opportunities that enhance student talent across Ecuador while supporting an education system rooted in national identity.
