IIHM Young Chef

Can you tell me in detail about the IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management), Kolkata Young Chef India Schools-2015?

[shikha]

“IIHM Young Chef India Schools-2015” is a culinary competition which is organized by the International Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata every year since 2011.

The primary aim of this competition is to promote cooking as a life skill and stimulating an interest in cooking among the students.

With support from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, it aims at spotting budding talent at the high school level.

Students with a flair for cooking are eligible to take part in the event. The preliminary rounds of the competition are held in Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

The finalists are flown to London, where they take part in the final culinary battle in the presence of expert chefs.

The event was declared open at Kolkata on the 29th of January 2015. All the participating countries namely United States, UK, Spain, France, Switzerland, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and India, marched in to the arena with their country flags, supported by their teams and to unceasing applause from the crowd.

The 15 participants were 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.

Participants had to compete against each other for the top 8 positions on 30 January in the preliminary and elimination round.

Participants had to cook with the given ingredients, within a specified time. They were marked on creativity, hygiene, taste and optimum utilization of the ingredients.

The team of judges was headed by Prof. David Foskett – Head, London School of Hospitality and Tourism, University of West London, UK along with Chef Kunal Kapur of the Master Chef India fame, noted food critic and writer – Chef Karen Anand, Italian Master Chef Roberto Boggio, and Chef Shaun Kenworthy.

The winner was Ashwin from Malaysia, followed by 1st runner up Marcin from Spain and 2nd runner up Tajinder from UK. Judges introduced an award for the Outstanding Dish and was given to Ian from Kenya.