Logan Guleff, 15, won the prestigious Best in World Gourmand Award for his first cookbook. He is the youngest in the world to hold such an honor. Logan received the award in a ceremony in Yantai, China and shared his thoughts on the epic journey from prodigy chef to award winning author. “The book was a huge a risk for me in so many ways” says Logan. “I was being told that I couldn’t do it. That I was too young. That I didn’t know what I was doing, and to wait a couple of years and focus on a conventional recipe cookbook. But, I wanted the same sense of imagination and magic that I have about food and flavors, in my first cookbook. Grinding against the norm, tests you. It is tough, going down your own path with a concept. It’s a rollercoaster. But, you can’t inspire others without conviction in yourself. The book is really about dreaming big, and believing in ideas that live within your heart. It’s funny that the book took me to the very place I wanted to go. “

“Logan’s Chef Notes and Half Baked Tales” is a graphic novel adventure. Logan released the cookbook as the next generation of cooking books.  A new concept in cookbooks, it is separated into two segments. The first part of the book is created in a manga storyline while the second half of the book focuses on food and cooking techniques. Logan explains, “Cooking Dreams is my imagination. I want to inspire others to think like a chef, to learn about food, and to add a dash of creativity. And above all, I want them to work toward their dreams. To me, the book is magical.” He adds, “The Gourmand Award is a huge recognition for all those who put their love into this dream.”

Since becoming the Champion of the 2014 MasterChef Junior with Gordon Ramsay, Logan has become a rising star in the culinary world. The cooking prodigy has been named one of the Most Influential Teens by Time Magazine. He was named Southern Living‘s Best New Southern Cook and earned a spot on Fortune Magazine’s 18 Under 18 list, along with being a winner of James Beard Sustainable Burger competition. He’s also the youngest certified judge for the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis, Tennessee, and the youngest chef to cook at the historic James Beard House in New York City. He has also judged at the International Young Chef Olympiad in India and is an award winning author of “Cooking Dreams”, a graphic novel cookbook. And recently performed a TEDx talk on “The Art of The Flavor”.

Headquartered in Paris, France, The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards were founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau of the famous Cointreau family. Every year, the awards honor the best food and wine books, printed or digital, as well as food television. Books from 205 countries participate in these prestigious awards, the only international competition of the sector. The Gourmand Awards have been compared to the “Oscars” and are inspired by the spirit of the Olympic Games. Every year, Gourmand gives the awards in a very special location for gastronomy. In 2018 the ceremony was held in Yantai, China.