A distinguished delegation from Azerbaijan Chefs Guild, led by Chairman Ilkin Hanifa Akbarzade, visited College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM) Head Office on August 12, 2024.

The delegation, comprising prominent chefs Ilkin Hanifa Akbarzade, Sarkhan Imanli, Ilgar Ahmadov, Elkhan Zamanli, Emin Aliyev, and Kamran Rahmanov was warmly welcomed by Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP) President and COTHM Founder/President & CEO Ahmad Shafiq, COTHM COO Zaheer Ahmad, COTHM Johar Town Executive Director Mian Shahid, along with other team members and students.

Ahmad Shafiq provided the visiting delegation with a detailed orientation of COTHM’s various departments, showcasing the institution’s state-of-the-art facilities and its commitment to international standards in skill-based education.

The visit highlighted the strong friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, with COTHM students enthusiastically chanting slogans in support of Pak-Azerbaijan relations.

In a symbolic gesture of unity, Ahmad Shafiq and Ilkin Hanifa Akbarzade jointly cut a Pak-Azerbaijan Friendship cake, celebrating the bond between the two nations.

Ahmad Shafiq also presented Chefs Association of Pakistan’s medals to the visiting chefs and awarded them with honorary life-time membership of CAP – the only national association of chefs in Pakistan affiliated with Worldchefs, Paris.

Speaking to the media, Ilkin Hanifa Akbarzade praised COTHM for its world-class educational offerings and its role in producing a skilled workforce in Pakistan. He emphasized that the facilities at COTHM are on par with international standards, reflecting the institution’s dedication to excellence.

Ahmad Shafiq, in his address, expressed gratitude to the chefs’ delegation from Baku for their visit and highlighted the enduring brotherly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. He reiterated the commitment of both nations to continue working together for the development of the hospitality and tourism sectors.