On 31 October 2025, the kitchen at ITE College Central will come alive with creativity, teamwork, and the aroma of wholesome goodness. Preschool cooks will take centre stage at Singapore’s first-ever Preschool Chef Healthy Cooking Competition.

Our cooks from Kinderland Preschool, ELFA Preschool and NurtureStars Preschool (From Left to Right)

Organised by Kinderland International Education (KIE), the event celebrates the unsung heroes who transform everyday ingredients into healthy, delightful meals. More than a contest, it heralds a new movement in shaping how young children experience food.

Representing three of five KIE’s network of preschools —Kinderland, ELFA, and NurtureStars — the participating cooks will work  in pairs to create festive-themed, culturally inspired, or fusion dishes. These dishes must not only meet nutritional standards but also delight children’s taste buds.

Mr Ow Yang Bing and Ms Bong Tek Fun from NurtureStars Preschool @ Punggol whipping up a delicious dish — Salmon with Creamy Sauce and Broccoli.

Mdm Tay Kah Eng showcasing her culinary flair with her signature healthy fried rice

Experts from leading institutions came together to ensure every dish met the highest standards of safety, nutrition, and creativity. Dr Loh Wenyin of KKH shared key insights on managing food allergies, ensuring preschool meals remain safe, inclusive, and child-friendly:

“Most allergic food reactions occur when trigger foods are consumed, and can range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Since most food allergies develop during early childhood, pre-school staff must understand how to prevent reactions through strict allergen avoidance. Mealtimes should be inclusive and safe for children with food allergies, and this involves ensuring that meals exclude allergenic foods whilst maintaining nutritional adequacy.”

Specialists from the Health Promotion Board’s (HPB) Healthy Meals in Preschools Programme (HMPP) confirmed that all dishes adhered to national nutrition standards. They also ensured the dishes reflected the principles of balanced eating.

“It is important for children to embrace healthy food from young as good nutrition supports their growth, enhancing their overall health and well-being. They get an early healthy head start in life and gain better health outcomes in adulthood. We are heartened by KIE’s initiative to inspire preschool chefs to serve healthy and nutritious meals in creative ways and pique the interest of young children to eat healthy.”

Our panel of judges (from left to right): Mrs Angeline Teo, Veteran Education Specialist; Dr Loh Wenyin, Senior Consultant, Allergy Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH); Ms Jeslin Loh, Deputy Director, School Engagement Hub, Youth Preventive Service, Health Promotion Board (HPB); and Mr Axel Low, Manager, Hospitality–Culinary Skills, ITE College West

Mentors from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) guided contestants on cooking techniques and presentation, ensuring a professional edge to each creation.

Mr Axel Low, Manager of Hospitality–Culinary Skills at ITE College West, offering his professional guidance to our cooks

After a spirited cook-off, See Yah and Siau Fen from NurtureStars Preschool@ Choa Chu Kang were crowned KIE Preschool Chef Champion 2025.

Congratulations to our winning team, See Yah and Siau Fen, from NurtureStars Preschool @ Choa Chu Kang!

The winning recipe — Christmas-themed Salmon Spiral Pasta

About Kinderland International Education
Kinderland International Education (KIE), a member of Crestar Education Group, is a leading provider of preschool and early childhood programmes, operating over 120 centres across eight countries. Since 1978, KIE has been committed to nurturing bright minds and healthy bodies through trusted brands including Kinderland, ELFA, NurtureStars, Skool4Kidz, and The Grange Institution Preschool.