International Chefs Day celebrated

The knives, chopping boards and spice pots, were out at Hotel Ramyas in the city recently as 33 staff members participated in a contest of their cookery skills held to celebrate International Chefs Day.

T. Saravanan won the first prize for his Kaikuththal Arisi and Hot Chicken Sadam and Pachamochai Karuvattu Kozhambu. The second prize went to K. Muthukumaran for Kashmiri Vegetable Biryani and Coriander Chicken Chops, while the third prize was won by K. Selvam for Chocolate Malai Sandwich and Andhra Paan. Ninety-nine dishes were prepared under the theme of Indian cuisine.

Organised by Ramyas’ executive chef K. Durairajan, the contest was judged by celebrity chef Palani Murugan and Sangam Hotels’ corporate chef Muruganandam, who also offered the contestants tips on preparation and presentation of their recipes.

In his address, chief guest M. Ponnilango, director, Jenneys Academy, said that the catering and hotel industry had been providing jobs to several generations of people.

“Chefs are creators, just like artists and writers, because they make dishes by blending the best of ingredients and taste profiles. We should be proud to be cooks,” he said.

Mr. Muruganandam said that more should be done to raise the standards of catering professionals in the Tiruchi district.

“We have to work harder to produce chefs of a standard who can compete in international and regional events along with the best,” he said. “We are hoping to prepare an expert team of chefs from the city’s hotels and restaurants for the next competition organised by the South India Chef’s Association (SICA).”

International Chefs Day was instituted in 2004 to create awareness about healthy eating and cuisine knowledge.

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