On 25 July 2009, five student teams from Temasek Polytechnic headed to ITE College West for the annual Tabasco HoTChef Culinary Team Challenge 2009.  The culinary competition is opened to all aspiring chefs aged 25 and below.   It was organised by the Singapore Junior Chefs Club, a part of the Singapore Chefs Association.

Contestants had to prepare six types of tapas using Tabasco sauces.  This included two meat dishes, two seafood dishes, one vegetarian dish and even a dessert plate!

As in previous years, the panel of judges this time comprised seasoned industry professionals including the Director of Kitchens Chef Otto Weibel of Swissotel, and Chef Edmund Toh, the Executive Chef of Resorts World.

In the end, the TP teams did us proud and swept away with many prizes:

Best Hygiene:  TP Diploma in Culinary & Catering Management Team 2

Best Display:    TP Diploma in Culinary & Catering Management Team 1

2nd Runner-up: TP Diploma in Baking & Culinary Science Team 2

Runner-up:       TP Diploma in Baking & Culinary Science Team 1

CHAMPION:      TP Diploma in Culinary & Catering Management Team 1

Three students from The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa’s (TAS) Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Business also formed a team and made it to the finals even though they were against teams from dedicated culinary disciplines. Although they did not win anything, each one of them took away something precious from the experience:

Student Zhao Peng Fei (China): It was tiring, training for this competition whilst attending regular classes. However, as a person who likes cooking, this was my chance to test myself and demonstrate what I have learned and fulfill my culinary interest. I was really excited and thankful for this rare opportunity!”

Vincent Susanto Ng (Indonesia): I learned a lot, ranging from time management, multi-tasking, food handling, as well as creativity in creating dishes, presentations, team building, and countless more.

Nguyen Thuy Trang (Vietnam): What I can remember is the time when I was together with our Chef Derrick Lau and my lovely team. It made my life in TAS more colourful. That is why I always say the process of doing something is much more important than its result.”

Heartiest congratulations to one and all!

Champion of HoTChef Competition

1st Runner Up

2nd Runner Up

Most Hygienic Team

Team from The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa. Vincent Susanto Ng (left) Zhao Peng Fei (center) Nguyen Thuy Trang (right)