Escoffier & Barilla: Inspiring Vietnam's Next Generation Of Chefs

ESCOFFIER & BARILLA

Inspiring Vietnam's Next Generation of Chefs

Since its inception, The Disciples Escoffier International has annually organised and judged the "Young Talents Escoffier" competition. This internationally famous competition showcases the next generation of culinary artists and honours Auguste Escoffier, the world’s first celebrity chef. Barilla exclusively distributed by An Nam Professional, the event's official partner, views its role as perpetuating Auguste Escoffier's tradition by displaying young chefs' abilities and motivating the next generation of chefs.

The Barilla brand has been owned and operated by the same Italian family for more than 140 years, and has established a reputation as the best pasta in Italy and abroad. As a global leader and staunch believer in supporting and teaching young chefs globally, Barilla has joined The Disciples Escoffier International to promote the "Young Talents Escoffier" competition, the world's most distinguished event for aspiring young chefs. Established in 1954 with its beginnings in Nice, France Currently, the Disciples d’Auguste Escoffier organisation has over 3,000 members throughout all five continents and 35 countries, including thirteen Asian and Oceanic nations. Every member of this prestigious organisation maintains the proud tradition of promoting the traditions of French cuisine and is dedicated to the growth of culinary professionals in the great chef Auguste Escoffier’s name.

Barilla understands that exploring international cuisine and the aspiration to advance in an international professional environment are the motivating factors for young chefs today and has combined with The Disciples d'Escoffier, to discover those individuals to represent Vietnam on the global stage.

As part of the Asia-Pacific Chef Competition, the finest Vietnamese chefs decided on which talented young chef will represent Vietnam. Resumes were reviewed by Escoffier and Barilla Vietnam to determine which chefs qualified for the first round of interviews. Those few who qualified were chosen on the basis of their past experience working in prestigious restaurants, and the intensity of their desire to reach the highest levels of culinary achievement.

Those chefs who made it beyond the preliminary round were invited to P'ti Saigon for a one-day Master class with Barilla Executive Chef Andrea Tranchero. Chef Andrea Tranchero, has developed a distinctive and refined approach to cooking over the course of his 25-year career, and shared his knowledge and expertise with all the candidates, providing each, an unique chance to work closely with a master chef, before making last preparations to go head-to-head against one another in the coveted international one-day competition.

Barilla and Westgold supplied the chefs with all of the necessary ingredients for the challenge. Barilla pasta was required for the main course, while two Westgold components were required for the desserts (milk, butter, or whipping cream). Grooming, correct use of presentation tools and equipment, knife skills, organisation, food safety, sanitisation, correct cooking procedures, correct cooking temperatures, seasoning, taste, flavour, the texture of each meal created, creativity, presentation, and the use of Barilla pasta were among the criteria used to evaluate each young chef. Each contender was rigorously evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of prominent figures from Vietnam's culinary community which included;

Executive Chef Andrea Tranchero - Executive Chef - Barilla Asia, Africa, Australia, Tung Hoang - Executive Chef of Tung Dining, A by Tung , Matteo Fontana, Executive Chef at Da Vittorio Saigon, Peter Cuong Franklin- Chef Founder Anan Saigon. James Audou – Pastry at The Brix / Clay Saigon, and Frank Sampere – Executive Chef Annam.

All Judges made impartial judgments based on their significant culinary expertise and assisted the competition to select the most qualified and talented chefs.

After three days of arduous competition and rigorous adjudication by the judges, the winner was awarded to Truong Gia Loc (Tevere restaurant). He will be flown to Singapore for a three-day training session with Barilla before representing Vietnam in Bali, Indonesia, where Thirteen national teams will compete for the World Finals berth. The winner will represent Escoffier Asia Pacific in next year's global finals in Europe and become a Barilla Vietnam Young Chef Brand Ambassador.

In the wake of this tournament, Barilla will continue to encourage, inspire, and develop the next generation of Vietnamese culinary masters, and provide individuals with the opportunity to compete in Barilla competitions throughout the world.

Annam Professional, Barilla's exclusive distributor, was instrumental in bringing together illustrious chefs, iconic brands, and prestigious institutions together to create an event of the highest calibre, and wishes all those who competed, success on their culinary journey.