RICHARD Meimban, a chef at Grandvrio Resort, won the Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands Junior Chef Competition on Saturday during the Taste of Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden at American Memorial Park in Garapan.
Meimban impressed the judges together with his extraordinary on-the-spot Chinese-fashion red meat entry: Szechuan spice-rubbed BBQ with satay sauce and crispy noodles topped with Angus red meat sirloin flap, scallops, shrimp and local produce “chop suey style” with XO and tobanjan sauce and cilantro. The dish turned into paired with warm Hua Tiao Chiew wine.
Click to enlarge Junior chef competition winner Richard Meimban, center, poses together with his assistant John Imperial, left, and opposition organizer head Samson Tan.
The prevailing dish of Grandvrio Resort’s Richard Meimban within the junior chef competition. Photos with the aid of Junhan B. Todiño
Meimban, who placed second in closing 12 months’ opposition, acquired this 12 months’ first prize of $500 cash, presents from Triple J, and a certificate from Imperial Pacific International.
Vicente Montoya of Fiesta Resort & Spa located 2nd and won $300 coins and present certificate from Triple J and IPI.
Maria Pua of Kanoa Resort located 0.33 and acquired $two hundred coins and gifts certificate from Triple and IPI.
The different competition had been Norman Chan of Hyatt Regency Saipan; Manny Pancha, Pacific Island Clubs; and Ezekiel Quiroz, Tony Roma’s Restaurant.
The opposition judges were Chef Chen Haisong of Imperial Pacific International, Chef Joe Guerrero of Cha Café, and Chef Tzu Ming Sheu of Shark Fin Restaurant and Chinese Association consultant.
Competition organizer head Chef Samson Tan stated: “it became a hit occasion, way to God and the overwhelming assist of the organizing crew.”
He additionally thanked Marianas Visitors Authority community occasions manager Ray Villagomez, MVA Managing Director Priscilla Iakopo, the competition’s important sponsor, HANMI, and its chair Gloria Cavanagh, vice president Nick Hishikawa, secretary Wendi Herring, Triple J, Five Star Wholesale Foods and Triple Truckload Store.
Tan likewise thanked the opposite sponsors which include the chef’s guide team and judges, Ken Stewart from Micronesian Chefs Association, Glory be Tan, the Grandvrio culinary crew and management as well as Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang.
“Thank you a lot for all of the attempt and a brilliant process anybody,” Samson Tan added.
He referred to that the cooking location was one of the challenges faced by way of individuals.
He stated it is definitely one-of-a-kind while in comparison to the same old indoor cooking venue. The temperature was one in all the most important factors to recall to make sure the high-quality of the meat, sanitation, food managing techniques, and execution: education, cooking, and plating, he brought.
“But all competition did a notable job and all people is a winner,” he said.
In a separate interview, Guam food critic Ken Stewart, who served as master of ceremonies, stated the competition was a completely super adventure. Participants found out an overseas cuisine that they may not be acquainted with, he brought.
“Every one of the entries was specific: they used nearby ingredients and the equal emblem of beef, but they made dishes the use of their very own imagination,” he stated.
One of the challenges he observed all through the competition was the outside venue. “It’s not smooth accessible to do Chinese delicacies,” he brought.
MVA Managing Director Priscilla Iakopo stated she become pleased that the island’s cooks have been able to showcase their abilties.
She stated it may be a great concept to keep subsequent 12 months’ competition on the principal degree to permit greater humans to look at the event.
“Thanks to HANMI and all of the sponsors,” she stated, as she endorsed different cooks to participate in the annual opposition.
Iakopo said this year’s Taste of the Marianas, which became held each Saturday in May, drew lots of tourists and citizens.
