Visakhapatnam is preparing to celebrate its rich coastal food culture as chefs from 17 star-category hotels come together for the second edition of Flavours of Vizag – Star Chef Challenge 2026 on October 16.

The competition will be held at the Sun International Institute of Tourism and Management, Beach Campus, Sagar Nagar. The Hotels and Restaurants Association of Andhra Pradesh (HRAAP) is organising the event in association with the Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels Association (ASHA) and the Chefs Association of Telangana and Andhra (CATA).

 

Under the theme “Authentic Local Seafood and Traditional Recipes,” participating chefs will compete in two categories: Best Traditional Seafood Starter and Best Traditional Seafood Main Course. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries in each category, with a panel of culinary experts evaluating the dishes.

The judging panel will include Chef G. Yadagiri, founder and general secretary of CATA. The event poster was unveiled by Joint Collector G. Vidyadhari in the presence of District Tourism Officer J. Madhavi, APTDC Divisional Manager G. Jagadish, HRAAP president Pavan Kartheek and other officials.

 

Organisers say the competition is intended to highlight traditional seafood preparations, encourage culinary professionals to preserve regional recipes and create greater visibility for Visakhapatnam’s food culture. The event also forms part of the activities leading up to International Chefs Day on October 20.

By bringing together chefs from leading hotels, the challenge aims to connect local cuisine with the hospitality and tourism sectors while showcasing the distinctive flavours of Andhra Pradesh’s coastline.