KOLKATA, India, February 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
World's First International Young Chef Olympiad 2015 was inaugurated in Kolkata on 29th Jan at the city center. In an Olympic style opening ceremony, all the participating countries marched along with their respective country flags supported by their teams and cheers of the crowd. Participating countries were United States of America, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Switzerland, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and team India, which was represented by Dhriti, 3rd year student of IIHM Jaipur, who was greeted with the largest crowd cheer. Mr Scott Furssedonn Wood, The British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, congratulated the teams and wished them luck for participating in the first ever International Young Chef Olympiad in the world.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150206/10115918-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150206/10115918-b)
The International Young Chef Olympiad trophy was unveiled by Dr Suborno Bose, Founder of YCO Initiative, Chairman of the Organizing committee of the Young Chef Olympiad and Chief Mentor of International Institute of Hotel Management, followed by the grand entry of the Olympiad flag, carried by four successful women of India - Ms Madhumita Mohanta, Exec Chef, The Lalit Great Eastern - Kolkata; Siddhika Ghosh - Owner of Restaurant "The Wise Owl" in Kolkata; Chef Payal - Master Chef finalist from Kolkata; and Chef Preeti Singh - who made Kolkata proud.
The oath taking ceremony was undertaken by representatives of the participating countries, judges and the coaches. From India, Dhriti took the oath on behalf of all the participants. Equally scintillating was the entry of the brightly lit Olympiad torch carried by Garima Poddar, Winner of the Young Chef India Schools 2014 contest held in London, who along with all the contestants on the stage joined hands together to light up the flames carefully incorporated on the top of the cake, under the supervision of the Culinary Director of IIHM Chef Sanjay Kak. The flames of the Olympiad could be seen on the center of the cake, big and bright, which was followed by the cake cutting ceremony.
30th January was the preliminary and elimination round for the 15 contestants. Dylan from USA, Leo from France, Marcin from Spain, Marlon from China, Sumaiya from Bangladesh, Ian from Kenya, Indra from Bhutan, Tadiwa from Zimbabwe, Harsha from Sri Lanka, Ryan from Switzerland, Jennipha from Thailand, Tajinder from UK, Htoo from Myanmar, Ashwin from Malaysia and Dhriti from India competed against each other for the top 8 positions. They had to cook with the given ingredients, within a specified time. Apart from other factors, they were marked on creativity, hygiene, taste of the food and optimum utilization of the ingredients.
The very distinguished team of judges was headed by Prof. David Foskett - Head, London School of Hospitality and Tourism, University of West London, UK along with Celebrity chef Kunal Kapur of the Master Chef India fame, noted food critic and writer - Chef Karen Anand, Celebrity Italian Master Chef Roberto Boggio, and Chef Shaun Kenworthy. The top 8 countries that made it to the Grand final were Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, Kenya, France and India.
The Grand Finals were equally competitive where judges asked the contestants to make only vegetarian dishes. To top it up, the contestants from France and Spain had never been trained to make a purely vegetarian dish. The winner was Ashwin from Malaysia, followed by 1st runner up Marcin from Spain and 2nd runner up Tajinder from UK. Judges were impressed by the talent and introduced an award for the Outstanding Dish as well, which was won by Ian from Kenya
Ashwin, the 2015 International Young Chef Olympiad winner, took home a cash award of $10,000 USD, a gold medal and memories from India to cherish for a life time.
Quotes:
"YCO was awesome! Well planned and excellent hospitality. Get you next year!" -Ashwin Nicholos Oon, Team Malaysia, Winner, 1st International Young Chef Olympiad 2015.
"I dream to put India on the culinary map of the world. I dream to create the awareness among million of Indian youngsters to realize that culinary and hospitality is the most promising and creative career. I dream of an India where like the IT industry, the culinary and hospitality industry becomes a driving force behind our rising economy and I dream of an India who will produce thousands of celebrity chefs who would conquer the entire world. We promise to bring 100 countries in the 2nd International Young Chef Olympiad in 2016," - Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM Global & Chairman, Executive Committee - YCO.
"Fantastic event, IIHM is a world class leader in Hospitality," -Professor David Foskett, Head London School of Hospitality Tourism, University of West London, UK.
"Congratulations on this wonderful event. Inspiring to see so many young people passionate about food," -Mr Scott FurssedonnWood, The British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata.
"With the rapid expansion of tourism and hospitality industry, the requirement of skilled manpower is constantly increasing. I hope the Institute will continue working with the clear vision - Mission framework for providing high quality trained manpower for meeting the needs of the hospitality sector. I convey my best wishes to the Institute for organizing such an International event and putting India on the culinary map of the world," -Dr. Lalit K.Panwar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
About IIHM:
IIHM is a part of the IndiSmart Group, with campuses in Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Bangkok will be hosting.
For more information kindly visit:-
Web: www.ycolympiad.com
Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/iihmhotelschool
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/IIHM.YoungChef
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/ycolympiad
Twitter : https://twitter.com/ycolympiad
For queries kindly contact YCO team:-
Shampa Bhattacharya
COO Branding & Young Chef
[email protected]
Mobile: +91-9830111369
Abdullah Ahmed
Director,
International Institute of Hotel Management, (IIHM) Delhi
[email protected]
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