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[COVER] Highlights From Hansik Contest, The First Official Korean Culinary Contest In Singapore

Organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore (Korean Embassy), the Hansik Contest took place at Our Tampines Hub’s culinary studio on 14 October and was successfully concluded with a prize presentation onstage at the Korea Festival 2017, K-Square.

It was the first official Korean culinary contest in Singapore where 12 teams were shortlisted to battle in a cook-off in search of the best K-Food chef in town. These 12 teams were tasked to prepare 2 dishes — 1) everyone’s favorite Kimchi Stew and 2) a Korean dish of their choice; all within the given time frame of 90 mins.

The Hansik Contest kicked off with an opening speech by Mdm Park Ae Kyeong, the spouse of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore, who was heading the judging panel along with four other judges selected by the Korean Embassy.

With a countdown timer in place, much excitement and anticipation filled the air as the teams began to prepare their dishes promptly. Several teams were well prepared with their own ingredients nicely chopped and portioned, while other teams focused on dish presentation to score more bonus points.

One of the teams brought in food decor shaped in roses in an attempt to score higher points for the plating criteria

Talking about creativity, some participants also put in extra effort to prepare a variety of banchan dishes to complement their final dishes. Meanwhile, premium ingredients were also spotted in the preparation process as one of the teams decided to use flower crabs to enhance the flavours of their kimchi stew.

It was no easy feat for the participants as they were only given 90 mins to prepare and complete 2 Korean dishes. Despite so, all 12 teams managed to present their dishes within the time frame for the final evaluation by the judges.

After a round of tasting, it seemed like the judges have made up their minds on the winning teams! 3 teams were awarded respectively with the ‘Best Presentation’, ‘Best Taste’ and ‘Best Creativity’ awards, while 3 other teams bagged the Top 3 prizes.

Grand Prize Winner: Team 7 (Wanhui & Yee Yong) ; Dish: Kong-guksu (Noodles in cold soybean soup)

The grand prize went to the team that whipped up a vegetarian and organic feast complemented with several banchan dishes. Behind the cooking process, the team also shared that they had wanted to prepare an organic (Korean) meal as one of the team members is a cancer survivor. Through their well-thought and elaborated recipes, they’ve impressed the judges and went home with $1,000 cash prize as well as an all-expense paid round trip to Korea!

With a successful wrap-up for the Hansik Contest, the Korean Embassy looks forward to bringing Korean culture closer to the hearts of the residents of Singapore.


Hansik Contest was brought to you by Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore and covered by HallyuSG.

(Official Photos: Korean Embassy)

Categories
Food

[CONTEST] Love Korean Food? Join The First Ever Hansik Contest And Stand To WIN Attractive Prizes!

Calling all K-Food lovers and cooking enthusiasts! If you’re an avid fan of Korean food or enjoy whipping up Korean dishes, you are wanted! For the first time ever, a Hansik Contest will be organised in search of the best K-Food chef in town, proudly brought to you by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore (Korean Embassy).

The Hansik Contest is one of the many exciting programs lined up under the main umbrella event, K-Square, a part of the Korean Festival 2017. A total of 12 teams will be selected by the Korean Embassy to battle in a cook-off on 14 October, where 6 teams will walk away with attractive prizes — Top 3 cash prizes (worth S$1,800!) and 3 consolation prizes comprising of dining vouchers to popular Korean restaurants in Singapore. The Grand Winner will also win an all-expense paid round trip to Korea!

Here’s how you can participate (for free):

  • Choose a team member to pair up with (It can be your friend, sibling, partner, parent or grandparent, as long as both of you are age 18 and above, applicable to Singapore citizens only. Participants age 17 and below has to be accompanied by a participating adult who’s 18 and above)
  • Now till 30 September (Extended!), register your interest HERE and indicate a Korean dish you’d like to cook on the day of the Hansik Contest if your entry is shortlisted.

12 teams will be shortlisted to compete in the Hansik Contest at the newly launched Our Tampines Hub on 14 October. (Note: There’s a halal section within the culinary studio too)

On the actual day of contest, all 12 teams will be tasked to prepare 2 dishes — 1) The all-time favourite Kimchi Stew; and 2) The Korean dish of their choice; within the given time frame of 90 mins.

Participants will earn their score based on food quality, taste and dish presentation, to be evaluated by a panel of judges selected by the Korean Embassy. Key ingredients such as Korean rice, Korean sauces, Kimchi, vegetables, meat and more will be prepared, supported and contributed by K&J Butchery, CJ Group and KORYO Mart.

Additionally, all shortlisted participants should bring in their own raw ingredients and cookware (such as pots, pans, chopping board, knives, plates, spoons etc) for the contest. (Refer here for the full list of kitchen equipment provided at the culinary studio at Our Tampines Hub)

For more information of Hansik Contest, the first official Korean culinary contest in Singapore, be sure to check out https://www.kfoodcontest-sg.com/ and follow them on their official Facebook page and Instagram! Registration is open from now till 30 September 2017 and entries can be submitted HERE!

Through the Hansik Contest and K-Square activities, the Korean Embassy looks forward to bringing Korean culture closer to the hearts of the residents of Singapore.