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