The Navhind Times culinary competition, Budding Chef 2017, in partnership with IHM Goa and Amul, was held on Friday, January 13 at the IHM Goa campus in Porvorim. Twelve culinary colleges and institutes from across the state participated in the maiden venture that was organised to challenge and test the culinary skills of Goa’s future chefs. Designed exclusively for culinary college students in Goa, the competition aimed to promote a culinary passion and taste for excellence in the participants.
Registration began at 9 a.m and in keeping with the theme, teams were given names of herbs like basil, cilantro, chervil, chives, mint, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme. This was followed by a briefing by head of kitchen department, Lisa Norton Dias wherein rules and regulations and judging parameters were clearly explained.
The excitement amongst the participants was very palpable as they proceeded to the kitchen where they were given an individual tray with Amul products that had to be incorporated in their 3-course menu which included a starter, main course and dessert. There was also a common basket with additional Amul products, spices and oil. Participants began cooking at sharp 10 as they had just an hour and a half to prepare their three dishes. Some of the institutes had come a day prior to get their mise-en-place done and the competition started off with a buzz of activity.
Each team comprising of two members and a helper worked in a planned and methodical way and their skills and team work came to the fore. With consistency and creativity the contestants successfully achieved the dishes in the time allotted to them. The plating and presentation which was given half an hour, made the food look even more appetising.
The judges for the day were chef and owner of A Reverie restaurant, Aakritee; executive chef of Taj Exotica, Bhaskar Kargeti and executive sous chef of Grand Hyatt, Prasad Metrani. Besides allocating points for flavour, texture, consistency, doneness, creativity, menu and ingredient compatibility, creativity, portion size and nutritional balance, serving method and presentation, points were also given for sanitation, organization, cooking techniques and execution, proper utilisation of ingredients, time management, garbage segregation and scullery or washing up.
The three judges meticulously graded each dish while asking relevant questions of the contestants and gave feedback and suggestions which students eagerly listened to. After a nail-biting waiting period, results were declared at the felicitation ceremony where chief guest was general manager of Taj Exotica, Vincent Ramos. Also present on the dais were general manager, the Navhind Times, Pramod Revankar, principal of IHM Goa, Donna D’Souza, Amul representative, Manish Bameta and IHM front office HOD, Sanjeev Katkade.
Besides certificates and trophies from the Navhind Times and gift hampers from Amul, winners also got a free meal at the Taj Exotica and for the overall winners a free night’s stay at the hotel which was magnanimously gifted by Ramos. “We are extremely happy that the competition has turned out so successfully and wish to make it an annual event,” said Revankar.
