Chef Adam Collison from Sodexo U.K. and Ireland wins the foodservice provider’s 2024 Cook for Change competition

Sodexo has named the winner of its 2024 Cook for Change competition, its third annual sustainable culinary battle. Chef Adam Collison, from Sodexo U.K. and Ireland won the contest with his cauliflower dish—one part of the vegetable was roasted, and another was turned into pickled kimchi. For the dessert portion of the competition, Collison served up a vegan beetroot orange chocolate brownie.

Thirteen Sodexo chefs from throughout the world came to Paris earlier this month to compete in the contest, which challenged the chefs to create 100% plant-based recipes with sustainable ingredients that are prepared with energy-efficient cooking practices. In addition, the participating chefs were asked to create zero food waste and use as much of the vegetables as possible. The finalists competed regionally with their recipes and were selected to prepare them for the grand finale, which took place at Lenôtre Culinary Arts School in Paris. For an added challenge, the finalists were also asked to create a sustainable and plant-based dessert, prepared from a mystery box of ingredients.

While Collison ultimately took home the victory, the 13 competing chefs impressed the judges with their innovative recipes. U.S. Representative Ryan Hickey, an executive chef at the University of Vermont, for instance, showcased his vegan kale gnocchi, served on celery root puree and topped with beets and blanched kale stems. And for dessert, he created a compressed apple with spiced pumpkin and coconut milk puree.

"Curiosity is very important when thinking sustainably because it requires you to think outside the box, to come up with new ways to use things that may not have been used before," said Hickey, in a statement. “I'm taking part in this competition because I feel like it's important for the world to understand how important cooking sustainably is, and I'm happy to represent the United States to do so.” 

Chef Michal Fabiszeksi from Sodexo, Poland was recognized for his food waste optimization practices, and Sandrine Leriche from France was recognized for presentation.

The winning recipes will also be shared worldwide across Sodexo’s network, in an effort to bring sustainable practices to all of its operations.

"Everyone has a job every day to make sure that they're practicing sustainability and focusing on making the world a better and greener place,” said Hickey.