The IIHM Gourmet Studio at Globsyn in Sector V was buzzing last month as 44 contestants from three states in eastern India were all charged up. They were competing for the top 10 spots in the east zonal semi-finals of Young Chef India Schools 2018, presented by International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) in association with t2. Students of Class XI and XII showcased their culinary skills to make it to the next rounds at IIHM’s Delhi campus.
t2 brings you glimpses...
V for victory! The east zone finalists — (from left) Avantika Singh from Shri Shikshayatan School, Suvankhi Roy from Modern High School for Girls, Kinza Samuel from La Martiniere for Girls, Sneha Gomes from Loreto Convent Entally, Khushbu Sharma from Sunrise (Eng. Med.) School, Hrishik Sarkar from Delhi Public School Ruby Park, Sayantika Ghosh from The BSS School, Sarthak Soni from Birla High School, Nabanita Kundu from Sri Sri Academy and (not in picture) Udita Nahata from Delhi Public School New Town — were all smiles as the results were out.
“The IIHM Young Chef India that started seven years back is possibly the first serious attempt by any institute in India to unearth the talent of the future chefs of the nation. It has now grown into a huge brand and over 30,000 students of Class XI and XII have participated this year from all over the country,” said Suborno Bose, chief mentor and CEO of IIHM.
The contestants were given a basket of ingredients that they had to use to make two plates of a main course dish and two accompaniments, all within one hour. The theme? Indian.
The judges seemed impressed with what the 17- and 18-year-olds had cooked up. Sumit Kedia (in picture top), executive chef of AltAir, and MasterChef India Season 5 winner Kirti Bhoutika (in picture above) were among the six judges who evaluated the contestants based on the taste of their dish, their creativity and sense of hygiene, among other factors. “It’s taking me back to my schooldays. It’s so overwhelming to see children cooking. I am taking back so much from today,” said Kirti.
Text: Nandini Ganguly
Pictures: Shuvo Roychaudhury
