13 March 2025
This is Leyla Valiyeva, new WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for MENA
Chef Leyla, the first Azerbaijani woman to compete in Cooking, uses her plant-forward approach to inspire more women to become chefs.
Leyla Valiyeva, a talented chef from Azerbaijan, has been appointed as the new WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The first to represent her country in the skill of Cooking at a WorldSkills Competition, she has since been mentoring future Competitors and promoting her trade.
Born and raised in Moldova, Leyla’s love for cooking began at a young age. She recalls spending hours in the kitchen, watching her mother cook and eventually experimenting on her own. By the time she was a teenager, she was independently preparing meals and sharing her creations with friends. As she approached adulthood, a career in the culinary arts felt like a natural choice.
When she and her family moved back to Azerbaijan, Leyla enrolled in CÀSÀ Culinary Arts Center in Baku, a newly opened institution where she was among the first students to complete the program. She earned Level 2 and Level 3 certificates in Culinary Arts from City & Guilds, a UK-based qualification organization, and after graduating, was offered a job as a Student Ambassador Chef. Her roles include lecturing, public speaking, and event management.
Leyla learned about WorldSkills early in her culinary studies, when she saw a brochure inviting students to join the selection process. Encouraged by her instructors, she took part in the selection process and was ultimately chosen to represent Azerbaijan in Cooking at WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition. As her school is the official partner in Cooking for WorldSkills Azerbaijan, she remained closely involved with the WorldSkills movement, assisting in training programs, mentoring new candidates, and helping organize selection processes.
Beyond WorldSkills, Leyla has been an active competitor in various international culinary events as part of The Culinary National Team of Azerbaijan, representing her country in numerous competitions. Through these experiences, Leyla has built an international network of professionals from her field. "WorldSkills opened my eyes, as it was my first experience to meet and network with like-minded peers who shared the same passion for work as I did,” she says.
Leyla acknowledges the societal challenges that many women face when entering the culinary profession. In Azerbaijan, traditional expectations often prioritize roles such as doctors or lawyers over careers in cooking. Additionally, the demanding nature of the job – long hours and late shifts – can create obstacles for women, particularly those from conservative backgrounds.
Despite these challenges, Leyla remains steadfast in her mission. “It’s been a dream of mine to become a chef and study culinary arts and too important for me to give up on it, especially based on what I went through in the past several years,” asserts Leyla, while adding that she occasionally receives messages on social from other young girls who look up to her. “When I read messages like this, I know that I’m on the right path. And I know that what I do is important, not only for myself, but also for the young generation surrounding me. It’s a privilege of being a voice for them in these events,” she adds.
In addition to her advocacy for women in the industry, Leyla is passionate about sustainable cooking. She specializes in plant-forward cuisine, emphasizing healthy and environmentally friendly food choices. “In Azerbaijan, meat is a big part of our cuisine, but I want to show that plant-based dishes can be just as flavourful and satisfying,” she notes.
Her dedication to sustainability aligns with global trends in the culinary world, as chefs and consumers alike seek more sustainable food practices. Through her work, she hopes to contribute to a shift in culinary culture, both in Azerbaijan and beyond.
With her unique background, international experience, and unwavering passion for the culinary arts, Leyla is eager to use the WorldSkills Champions Trust as a platform to support young skilled people in the region.
Learn more about the WorldSkills Champions Trust, 11 ambassadors from around the world, sharing their passion for skills development.
