Connecting classrooms and industry with Global Burger Challenge 2026
The burger is back as Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Food and Drink Federation Scotland (FDF Scotland) announce the return of the Global Burger Challenge for 2026.
Following its successful run last year, the competition has expanded to include a wider range of age groups.
The Global Burger Challenge.
More than a cooking contest - it offers a deep dive into the business and science of food.
By stepping into the shoes of food product developers, students will design a new burger patty inspired by global cuisines. The practical approach allows young people to explore the complexities of the supply chain, the importance of red meat provenance and the diverse careers that keep Scotland’s food and drink sector thriving.
Building on last year’s success, the competition has been expanded to reach more learners across Scotland, with two categories:
S1 – S3 pupils
S4 – S6 pupils
The extension means that older students can apply more advanced technical skills to their entries, from complex costings to sophisticated recipe reformulation.
The design brief
Participants are tasked with developing a burger that reflects the flavours and spices of a chosen country or continent.
Central to the challenge is the use of high quality Scottish red meat. Each recipe must feature 100g of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb or Specially Selected Pork.
Using the Farming Foodsteps resources as a foundation, students will evaluate their creations based on five comprehensive pillars: the authentic integration of global flavours and traditions, the environmental and nutritional impact of the product, and a realistic analysis of production costs and retail overheads. Additionally, participants must develop a strategic marketing and packaging plan for a retail or food service setting and provide a final reflection on the diverse skills and careers required throughout the burger’s journey from farm to fork.
Celebrating 2025 highlights
Last year’s finalists set the bar high for the 2026 challenge.
In 2025, Hannah Bruce from Peterhead Academy took the top prize with her Mediterranean Munch burger, which impressed judges with its use of Scotch Lamb and health-conscious ingredients.
Ollie Cram (Tynecastle High School) was celebrated for their Fiery Fiesta Burger and Abi Kubaca and Amelia Murray (George Watson’s College) for their Lambtastic Naanwich.
How to get involved
We are calling on our industry partners to help inspire the next generation of food and drink talent by sharing this challenge and its resources with existing school contacts.
Beyond promotion, organisations can provide invaluable real-world context by offering local support such as hosting a tour, delivering a guest talk or providing professional feedback on student concepts to help them understand the practicalities of the sector.
Key dates
Submission deadline is Friday 20 March 2026 at 5pm
Shortlisted entries will be created by a professional chef, with winners invited to an awards ceremony at the Royal Highland Show in June 2026
Resources and submission details
To support educators, there is a suite of materials to help integrate the challenge into the curriculum:
This teacher’s pack includes the full design brief, learning resources and more details on how to enter.
There is a short interview with chef Fraser Cameron to inspire students here
The entry form can be downloaded here. Entries should be sent to moira.stalker@fdfscotland.org.uk.