The IKA/Culinary Olympics is an exhibition of Culinary Art that brings together ambitious and talented chefs and confectioners from all over the world. Their are presenting their craftmanship in the Hot Kitchen and the Cold Platter Show.
Competing in the disciplines of Culinary Art is challenging and worth-while for the contestants. Supporting and preserving it is a key task of Chefs Societies worldwide. The German Chefs Association for instance, being the host and honorary sponsor of the IKA/Culinary Olympics (since 1900), is intensively involved in supporting this craftmanship.
Comparable to sports events the international exhibitions of Culinary Art are offering different disciplines such as teams, national or regional level, culinary oder pastry, junior members (under 23 years) or individuals.
National Teams have a two-part-assignment which consists of the Hot Kitchen and the Cold Platter Show. The Hot Kitchen, representing category R (= Restaurant) is usually covering the preparation of a three-course-menu – ambitious but practical – serving 110 covers in the „Restaurant of Nations“.

The Cold Platter Show includes appetizers, main courses, complete menus, desserts, cakes and showpieces to be displayed on artfully draped tables in the exhibition hall. Being prepared hot (or cold) but displayed only cold the exhibits need to be covered with aspic. These four categories are internationally known:
• A for appetizers, show platters, fingerfood
• B for main courses, menus
• C for desserts, patisserie
• D for showpieces