HCM City tourist area chefs win Golden Spoon Contest

Chefs from Binh Quoi 1 Tourist Area win the first prize worth VNĐ1 billion (US$44,150) and a trophy for winning the fourth Golden Spoon Contest. — VNS Photo

Four runners-up - Indochine Palace Hotel Hue, Naman Retreat Resort Da Nang, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, and Nhi Restaurant in Can Tho - won VND 100 million each for having the most creative, best decorated, most nutritious, and most unique traditional dishes.

The jury consisted of prestigious local and foreign culinary experts and food artisans, including Eckart Witzigmann, who won the award “Chef of the Century” from the Gault Millau guide.

Witzigmann said he was impressed with the contest as well as the Vietnamese chefs’ innovation.

Organised by the Binh Dương - based Minh Long I Company and the Business Studies and Assistance Centre, the contest attracted 312 chefs from 104 hotels, restaurants and resorts from 39 cities and provinces, who introduced a dozen new spices and more than 600 dishes.

Ly Huy Sang, deputy general director of Minh Long I and deputy head of the organisers, said the contest aims to discover, preserve and promote traditional dishes that embody traditional regional culture besides honouring professional chefs who research into nutrition and introduce Vietnamese specialties and healthy dishes.

It also seeks to develop a brand for Vietnamese cuisine and turn it into a national tourist attraction, he said.

Sáng said the contest would not be held next year to enable the organisers to review and create a complete new programme.

By Viet Nam News