KATHMANDU, June 12: Uttam Thapaliya, commis chef of Hyatt Regency; Paban Khatiwada, commie of Reef Restaurant and Lounge Bar; and Ajay Sharma, commis chef from Hyatt Regency bagged the first, second and third positions respectively in the ‘MVIC National Culinary Competition-2016’ organized by Mid-Valley International College (MVIC) at its premises in Gyaneshwar on Sunday. They were awarded with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, Rs 9,000, and Rs 6,000 respectively along with gold, silver and bronze medals.

According to the press release, the prime objective of the competition was “to establish a professional  platform where professionals across the country to display culturally diverse food, their individual and combined skills, creative talent, and learn, share, experience, partner and network in a purely business like and competitive.”

“We have so many excellent cooks in this country who are eager to learn, grow, and advance their careers, as well as cook on a national stage. This competition is a celebration of the generation of aspiring, talented chefs,” Reetal Rana, managing director of MVIC has been quoted as saying.

The competition was divided into three phases where 15 chefs competed against each other, five in each phase, and were challenged to make dishes, primarily with chicken or fish. The chefs received points on the basis of taste, presentation, professionalism and innovation reflected in their dish.

The judge panel comprised Dr Souji Gopalakrishna Pillai, head, School of Hospitality and Tourism, ELM Business School; Hairul Hisam Bin Bujang, lecturer from HELP University, Malaysia; Govinda Narsingh KC, president, Chef Association Nepal, and Yuba Raj Pokhrel, executive chef, Soaltee Crowne Plaza.