Diana Kabyshova, a teacher at the Karaganda College of Nutrition and Service, placed second at the international Gastro Antalya Fest in Antalya, Turkey. She competed in the Young Golden Chef of the Year category.
The annual festival brought together participants from 42 countries this year. It was Kabyshova’s first international competition, and she won a prize on her debut.
Contestants had 70 minutes to prepare two portions each of a cold appetizer, a hot dish and a dessert. Kabyshova made tomato carpaccio, salmon steak with honey sauce and chocolate brownie.
The contest took place outdoors on Konyaaltı Beach in front of spectators. Equipment failed while she was making dessert, but she managed to finish the dishes.
Kabyshova said fitting all three dishes into the time limit was the hardest part. She described the event as a valuable experience in working under pressure and making quick decisions.
Kabyshova graduated with honors from the Karaganda College of Nutrition and Service in 2021, qualifying as a technologist-manager. She later studied restaurant and hotel management at Almaty Technological University. After graduating with honors, she returned to Karaganda and began teaching specialist subjects at her former college.
