IKEA Announces Winners of Food Contest with Fried Tofu

February 5, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

“IKEA Talents is a powerful example of what’s possible when co-workers feel supported to develop their ideas and try something new. At IKEA, we believe everyone has talent. Creating opportunities like this strengthens our culture, builds confidence, and helps people grow, which ultimately benefits our business and the many people we serve. Congratulations to all the finalists, and to IKEA Malaysia for the winning dish,” said Alejandra Piñol, Chief People & Culture Officer, Ingka Group

Building on the success of last year’s global music challenge, IKEA Talents returned in 2025 with a new theme connected to the current IKEA commercial focus on Cooking & Eating. Co-workers across the IKEA world were invited to share their favorite dishes, serving up creativity, cultural heritage and a passion for food.

During the 1 hour and 30 minutes cook-off in Älmhult, the room transformed into a high-energy kitchen, complete with six cooking stations. The finalists cooked live, side by side, racing to bring their dishes to life before a jury and an audience of fellow IKEA co-workers.

“We’re touched and really didn’t expect to win, but we felt the support of friends and family all the way from home. We think adjusting our sambal soy sauce to the jury’s taste made a real difference. Also, seeing the tofu survive the journey from Malaysia made this win even more special,” says Fatin & Fatihah, IKEA Talents Food edition winners.

“Congratulations to Fatin and Fatihah and all the finalists! IKEA Talents showed this year is how food becomes a platform for co-worker innovation. Cooking is an incredible way to express ourselves and truly connect with others. The finalists didn’t just cook great dishes, they brought our food philosophy to life through creativity, sustainability, and affordability. This year IKEA Talents has shown us how a thoughtfully prepared dish can transcend cultures, fostering a profound sense of belonging and bringing our global family closer through shared flavors and stories.” says Tine Colpaert, Food Operations Leader, Ingka Group at IKEA Retail.

Food is one of the first and last things customers experience when visiting IKEA, and it has long played a central role in bringing people together and reflecting everyday life across cultures. Through IKEA Talents, food becomes more than a meal, it becomes a platform for co-workers to express who they are, share their stories, and connect across cultures.

In that way, IKEA Talents reflects what it means to work at IKEA: a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, explore their passions, and grow beyond formal roles. By creating space for self-expression, recognition and learning, the initiative reinforces a culture where co-workers are valued for who they are, not only for what they do.

By connecting co-workers across roles and countries, IKEA Talents continues to strengthen collaboration, helped build belonging, and has encouraged creativity and experimentation, skills that help support IKEA’s business every day.

The 6 finalists who competed in the final were: 

— Malaysia: Fatin Badrul Hisham, Nurul Fatihah Binti Rosli with Stir Fried Tofu

— Italy: Benedetta Orsini with Sweden in a plin

— France: Abigaëlle Dumont with Sweet and savory millefeuille

— Spain: Juan Diego Rodríguez & Sophía Daniella Rattín with Lume & Lagom

— Portugal: Pedro Garcia with IKEA Style Swedish Lasagna

— Poland: Michał Peplak with Stir-fry udon noodles with IKEA plant balls