Golden Spoon - Taking Vietnamese Cuisine to the Next Level

The Golden Spoon contest has been organized in 2013, 2014 and 2015 each with three rounds: the preliminary round with a title of “Making Traditional Vietnamese Cuisine International”, the semi-final round with the title of “Golden Dish” and the final round with the title of “Secret Ingredients”. The contest has achieved significant and encouraging results. Many outstanding young chefs in all regions from south to north, from the sea to the mountains, from the countryside to the city have brought their wonderful cuisine with authentic flavors. A bell has been rung to wake up the diversity and multi-dimensional qualities of Vietnamese cuisine, proving they are already evolving.

There were many opinions saying the subject of “Golden Dish” in the preliminary rounds “Secret Ingredients” and the final were insufficient to represent the contest’s mission on the basics of Vietnamese cuisine, but that the guidelines of the competition were clear. The criteria within the preliminary rounds were respected sufficiently by remaining true to the mission. It was instructed well in the criteria that a Vietnamese authentic dish should be integrated into the international cuisine. In order to achieve these criteria it is recommended chefs with a high amount of work experience and practice compete. The subtleties between different cuisines should be understood and presented by professional and outstanding chefs.

Outstanding and talented chefs are familiar with and already tasked the responsibility of catering Vietnamese cuisine to the palates of multiple nationalities. Their “Golden Dish” is considered their signature and most popular dish of their own restaurant. It is a result of the environment, best ingredients and seemingly-simple dishes that are represented by the title of “Golden Dish”. In this round, contestants not only know how to cook, but also know how to present the dishes as an artwork. This is also a primary objective of the Golden Spoon Contest.
 

When chefs have passed the first two difficult rounds, the young chefs then enter their signature dish, hoping to win the title of “Golden Dish”. Its flavor and presentation must cater to any nationality, be it Vietnamese, European or American. Passing this, the final round of “Secret Ingredients” will be the biggest challenge. This round will challenge the chefs’ creativity, flexibility, ability to design the perfect Vietnamese menu and present it beautifully with appropriate accompanying crockery and cutlery. Only a chef who is smart, wise, talented and experienced won’t be incapacitated with surprise when the secret ingredients are revealed. This round assesses the full talent of the remaining chefs.