Young chefs cook up a storm

Young chefs cook up a storm

By Ei Ei Thu   |   Monday, 30 September 2013

Look out Michelin – Myanmar chefs are aiming to reach international culinary standards. In a bid to identify and encourage a generation of kitchen wizards, the Myanmar Chefs' Association held its first Yangon Culinary Young Chefs' Challenge on September 25 and 26 at Aung San Stadium.

A young chef takes part in the Yangon Culinary Young Chefs' Challenge in Yangon on September 26. (Aung Htay Hlaing/The Myanmar Times)

"Participating in this event will help Myanmar chefs to reach international standards by gaining experience when they compete in other countries," said Oliver Esser Soe Thet, president of the Myanmar Chefs' Association and one of the competition judges.

Competitors had to prepare a main course for beef, poultry, seafood and pasta; decorate a wedding cake; carve fruit and vegetables; and make bread and pastry, plus two different desserts.

Contestants included 58 young chefs, all aged under 25, from 14 top Yangon hotels and restaurants, including Sedona, Traders and Parkroyal.

But it was the team from Le Planteur that stole the show, taking out the top prizes in the beef, seafood, pasta and poultry sections. Traders won best dessert, while Parkroyal took out the best pastry section.

"I prepared for about two months to compete in this challenge. I learned a lot from foreign chefs by participating. They taught us what to do and what not to do," prizewinner Ma Zin Myo Nwe of Le Planteur restaurant told The Myanmar Times.

Ma Zin Myo Nwe said she loves cooking and hopes other Myanmar women will be inspired to follow her example.

While competing against each other, the young chefs not only showcased their skills but also exchanged views with industry colleagues and networked with international chefs.

"All participants are qualified professionals ... They need practice to take part in international competitions, but they should create Myanmar traditional food as well as international dishes," said Ko Than Zaw Oo, who was one of the judges.

Other judges included Chan Tuck Wai from Singapore, former Ministry of Hotels and Tourism official U Than Lwin and Myanmar Chefs' Association deputy leader Daw Thuzar Myint.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/10/02/young-chefs-cook-up-a-storm/