Becoming a chef, in fact, taking up a profession in the food
industry, can be a really smart and fulfilling decision, said Nilesh Cabral,
Chairman of GTDC, who was present at the recently held grand finale of IAM
Future Chef. His inspirational speech boosted the spirits of the young minds
who were considering this profession as an option. The trail-blazing culinary
competition for schools was held at the Institute of Hotel Management (IAM)
Campus, Nuvem.
From a total of 250 semi-finalists selected from across 30
schools of Goa, 10 were selected to participate in the grand finale. From them,
Joana Anastasia Pereira was adjourned the IAM Future Chef. Expressing her delight
on winning the title, she said, “I am overwhelmed lifting this trophy!”
She gave her family, friends and school teachers credit for
helping her win the contest. Though she is studying science, Joana, a student
of Deep Vihar Higher Secondary School, is interested in becoming a professional
chef. “They say when you make your passion your profession, it doesn’t feel
like work; you enjoy every moment of what you do. For me, baking is something I
love.”
This event proved to be a great initiative to encourage
youngsters to look towards the kitchen as a creative workspace, in a way,
urging them to truly imbibe age old cooking traditions India and Goa are famous
for, and innovate.
The competition, open to all higher secondary school
students from across the state, has successfully ventured into its third year.
The format had been designed to provide a platform to accommodate growing
culinary talents and fuel the interest of the youth in the state, as well as to
increase their awareness about the hospitality and culinary industry.
At the finale, each participant was asked to prepare one
main dish and one dessert (as per the given recipe) within a span of 90
minutes. The panel of judges included Executive Chef Bhaskar Kargeti of Taj
Exotica, Chef Saulo Bachilega Executive Chef Park Hyatt Goa, Executive Chef
Park Hyatt, Chef Gyanendra Gupta Executive Chef of Vivanta by Taj Holiday
Village and celebrity Chef Chef Shaun Kenworthy.
The 10 participants were awarded ‘finale certificates’ apart
from ‘participation certificates’ granted to all semi-finalist students for the
great effort put in during the culinary event.
Joana was awarded the IAM Future Chef trophy along with a
cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. The 1st runner up Kovan Braganza of Fr Basilico HSS
,Majorda was awarded a trophy and cash prize of Rs 50,000. The 2nd runner up,
Sierra Trias of Fr Agnel, Verna, was awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and
seven consolation winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs 5000 and trophies.
The award ceremony was presided over by Nilesh Cabral, Dr
Suborno Bose, Chairman and Chief Mentor of Indismart Group, Maitreyee
Chaudhary, Director of IAM Group, Chef Shaun Kenworthy, Corporate Chef of
Indismart Group, Shabnam Jana, Director of IAM Goa and Saurabh Bhattacharya,
Vice Principal IAM Goa. The event was sponsored by Goa Tourism in association
with Herald Publications Pvt Ltd.
