GEORGE TOWN: AFTER five days of intense competition, one gold medal with distinction, 78 gold, 205 silver and 465 bronze medals plus 509 diplomas were awarded to participants of the 15th Battle of the Chefs at the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SPICE) in Bayan Lepas, here, recently.
Part of the biennial Asia Food Festival, the culinary competition was organised by the Chefs Association of Malaysia, Penang Chapter.
The event saw a 50 per cent increase in the number of participants vying for the top honours.
More than 25,000 people turned up to witness the culinary skills of 1,589 chefs, including 271 from overseas, jostling to become winners in the competition’s 65 categories.
Visitors were welcomed by a beautifully decorated entrance made of fruits and vegetables, courtesy of the Federal Agricultural and Marketing Authority (Fama).
There were also exhibitions by local food and household goods manufacturers such as Malaysia Palm Oil Council, Fama, Penang White Curry Mee, Griffith Fine Coffee, Slumberland, Philips Malaysia and Ayamas Shoppe.
There were international exhibitors from China, the United States, Singapore, Thailand, France and Australia.
The judges were certified chefs from the World Chefs Association, hailing from nations such as Switzerland and Germany.
Thailand Culinary Centre emerged as the top winner of the event. It bagged the Governor’s Challenge Trophy and RM3,000.
Organising committee chairman Lee Chan Wai said the competition was a success as the number of participants had increased and the quality of their work had improved.
“We are honoured to receive such a good response. The festival is a truly an international event,” he said.
