The “Happy Sunday” Cooking Competition – an exciting event organized by Wine Food, aims to foster creativity, strengthen team spirit, and spread joy within the community. This is an opportunity to showcase your culinary skills, share delicious dishes, and create meaningful moments with colleagues.
This competition is not only a platform to display cooking talents but also a chance to enhance connections among company members, encouraging creativity in cooking and presentation. Additionally, the event provides a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere after busy workdays. With the theme “Happy Sunday,” the competition conveys the message, “Happiness comes from simple things.”
Using pre-prepared ingredients and seasonings provided by the company, teams are required to cook one mandatory dish (Butadon – a Japanese dish featuring pork and white rice), one optional dish, and participate in a skill challenge assigned by the organizers. Each team comprises three members, who are employees pre-assigned to teams through a draw.
At the start of the competition, the organizers inspect the ingredients of each team to ensure fairness. Teams prepare their own ingredients within a budget provided by the organizers.
Cooking Competition – Part 1: Cooking Two Main Dishes – A Test of Team Spirit
As soon as the starting signal is given, the competition atmosphere becomes lively and intense. Teams quickly begin prepping ingredients, turning their ideas into reality. Each member takes on a specific role: one focuses on cleaning ingredients, another on cutting and peeling, all performing the essential steps with precision.
Beyond speed, this is also a chance for teams to demonstrate their professional skills and creativity in every stage of preparation. Even a small mistake can affect the final product, so every action is carried out with meticulous care.
Team 1 presented a distinctive menu combining traditional and modern flavors with four appealing dishes:
- Butadon: Japanese-style pork rice, featuring tender meat soaked in rich sauce, served with hot rice and topped with fragrant sesame seeds.
- Fried Fish with Passion Fruit Sauce: A perfect blend of crispy coating and sweet-tangy sauce, highlighting the fish’s freshness.
- Fried Tofu: Crispy outside, soft inside, paired with flavorful dipping sauce.
- Refreshing Salad: Crunchy vegetables drenched in a tangy-sweet dressing for perfect balance.
Team 2 created an elegant menu blending creativity and taste:
- Butadon: Tender pork in a sweet-salty sauce served with warm white rice, capturing Japanese essence.
- Golden Bags: Unique dumplings wrapped in chewy rice paper with a thin egg layer, offering visual and flavor appeal.
- Shrimp Ball Soup: A light, nutritious dish featuring a savory broth and tender shrimp balls.
- Fruit Dessert: Juicy mandarins and grapes, naturally sweet and refreshing.
Team 3 impressed with a creative menu combining modern and traditional cuisine:
- Butadon: Savory pork paired with steaming rice.
- Vietnamese Hotpot: A rich, bone-broth-based soup with fresh vegetables, meat, and fish, served in a traditional hotpot pot for a cozy, connected vibe.
- Fruit Platter: Watermelon and crispy guava for a fresh finish.
Team 4 presented a refined menu fusing Japanese cuisine and fresh fruit desserts:
- Butadon: Flavorful pork and rice.
- Tempura: Crispy golden-battered seafood and vegetables served with a signature dipping sauce.
- Fruit Trio: Sweet plums, crunchy apples, and juicy watermelon for a balanced, light dessert.
Cooking Competition – Part 2: Skill Challenge – Soft-Boiled Eggs: The Art of Precision
The skill challenge involved soft-boiling eggs – a test of technique, precision, and time-sense. Each team received three eggs and was tasked with achieving the perfect texture: firm whites with soft, slightly runny yolks.
With limited time and under the judges’ watchful eyes, teams needed both speed and teamwork. Steps such as boiling water, timing precisely, and peeling eggs delicately were critical.
Though no team completed the challenge perfectly, everyone learned how to create the ideal soft-boiled egg: boil for 5, 6, or 7 minutes for varying textures.
The cooking competition ended with a lively and emotional atmosphere. Teams showcased remarkable performances, blending creativity and dedication in every dish. From skill challenges like soft-boiled eggs to unique menus with exquisite dishes, every team left a memorable impression, creating a visual and culinary feast.
More than just a competition, it was a journey of learning, unity, and passion for culinary arts. Congratulations to all teams for their effort and contributions. The ultimate rewards are growth, invaluable experiences, and pride in every moment.
Thank you to the organizers, judges, and audience for making this event a wonderful success. See you in future competitions with even more surprises and excitement!
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