Nicolle Jiménez wins third place at Americas Young Chef 2026

Nicolle Jiménez, a gastronomy student at Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, secured third place at the Americas Young Chef 2026 international culinary competition held in Ecuador from October 8 to 12.

Representing Costa Rica, Jiménez competed against participants from Martinique, Honduras, the United States, Peru, Ecuador, and the Bahamas. Her performance included showcasing a dish inspired by Costa Rican Caribbean cuisine. The competition involved cultural exchanges and technical training at the Iche Cooking School and Laboratory in San Vicente de Manabí.

Jiménez, originally from Coto Brus, received support for her participation from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and the Liga Agrícola Industrial de la Caña de Azúcar (LAICA) through its Doña María brand. Her previous culinary achievements include winning first place in a national competition in 2024 and securing third place in a competition in Guatemala.