Leading chefs from across Goa came together under one roof to compete in the Culinary Challenge of Goa to bring the essence of the Goan and international food culture into the forefront By Rituparna Chatterjee
The 26th edition of Food Hospitality World (FHW) exhibition hosted the Culinary Challenge of Goa at Dayanand B Bandodkar Ground, Campal, Panaji from September 29-October 1, 2015. Held on the sidelines of the three-day exhibition, the Culinary Challenge of Goa was organised in association with the Goan Chef Challenge and was supported by the Culinary Forum of Goa. In this one-of-its-kind professional food contest, leading chefs from across Goa came together under one roof to compete in groups and as individuals to bring the essence of the Goan and international food culture into the forefront. This challenge provided these chefs the opportunity to showcase their talent and innovations by creating delectable dishes.
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The competition was judged under three categories – Continental special (hotels), Goan special (hotels), and any cuisines (institutes) – held across the first, second and third day respectively. Chef Manjit Singh, executive chef, Holiday Inn Resort Goa and Chef Sunit Sharma, executive chef, Cidade De Goa were the judges on the first day; while Chef Saurabh Puri, executive chef, Ramada Caravela Beach Resort; Chef R Prasad Paul, director, Synergy Hospitality; and Chef Silvestro D’souza, Sheela Restaurant & Bar, Goa were the judges on the second day. The third day was judged by Chef P N Raman of Wellness Centre; Chef Gangadhar, executive sous chef, Cidade De Goa; Chef Mithun Gosh of Holiday Inn Resort Goa; and Chef Leon Dexter, sous chef, Radisson Blu Resort Goa Cavelossim Beach.
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Speaking about the competition, Singh stated, “The competition was good and though the ingredients were limited, the participants performed well. Today, many culinary competitions are being organised and chefs are taking them seriously. Competitions like this enable chefs to gain confidence, present their skills and gain extra mileage.” Adding to this, Sharma opined, “Five teams participated under the continental special category wherein we witnessed many innovative presentations.”
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Giving his views on the participants at the competition, Paul stated, “Many high-end hotel brands participated at the competition. The chefs were well-trained, displaying good presentation skills and innovation on the plate. While D’souza highlighted that under the Goan category, the chefs presented original Goan dishes. Speaking about the final day, Dexter said, “At the Culinary Challenge of Goa, unlike other competitions, we have culinary students coming in and showcasing their talent and skill. So any day it is a learning experience to them and they have displayed some unique techniques which we have never used or seen before. This gives us an idea of what today’s budding chefs will be like when they enter the industry tomorrow.”
Winners’ List
Day 1: September 29, 2015
Category 1: Continental Special (Hotels)
1. Winners
First: The Fisherman’s Wharf – Chef Ashish S Rana and Chef Gurudeep Singh
Second: Cidade De Goa – Chef Puneet Sharma and Chef Viraj Guonkar
Third: Azzure by Spree Hotels – Chef Amit S Mahangade and Chef Santosh Kumar
2. Best Starter
Hotel Fidalgo – Chef Ankita Honavarkar and Chef Manohar Lal
3. Best Main Course
The Fisherman’s Wharf – Chef Ashish S Rana and Chef Gurudeep Singh
4. Best Rice
Azzure by Spree Hotels – Chef Amit S Mahangade and Chef Santosh Kumar
5. Best Dessert
Cidade De Goa – Chef Puneet Sharma and Chef Viraj Guonkar
6. Best Presentation
The Crown Goa – Chef Vikas Gawade and Chef Rabin Hela
Day 2: September 30, 2015
Category 2: Goan Special (Hotels)
1. Winners
First: Ramada Caravela Beach Resort – Chef Prema Bhaskar and Chef Emilio Goes
Second: Radisson Blu Resort Goa Cavelossim Beach – Chef Anselm D’souza and Chef Mackson Fernandes
Third: The Zuri White Sands Goa Resort & Casino – Chef Abner David and Chef Subhadip Modak
2. Best Starter
The Crown Goa – Chef Rabin Hela and Chef Dayanand Gawas
3. Best Main Course
Hotel Fidalgo – Chef Suhas Parab and Chef Suresh Bandodkar
4. Best Rice
Cidade De Goa – Chef Suraj Dhupad and Chef Mahadev Gawas
5. Best Dessert
Azzure By Spree Hotels – Chef Amit S Mahangade and Chef Jaladhav Mahato
6. Best Presentation
First: The Crown Goa – Chef Rabin Hela and Chef Dayanand Gawas
Second: Hotel Fidalgo – Chef Suhas Parab and Chef Suresh Bandodkar
7. Unique Presentation by Chef Choice
First: Casa Moderna Goa – Chef Sunitha C Shetty and Chef Deepak
Second: Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Goa Candolim – Chef Sasi Kumar and Chef Sachit
Day 3: October 1, 2015
Category 3: Any Cuisine (Institutes)
1. Winners:
First: Agnel Institute of Food Crafts And Culinary Sciences – Allan Teixeira and Rohan Fernandes
Second: Agnel Institute of Food Crafts And Culinary Sciences – Anthony and Brefon
Third: Agnel Institute of Food Crafts And Culinary Sciences – Domingos Cruz and Rajesh Vengurlekar
2. Best Main Course
IHM, Goa – Anushka Arudra and Nomita
3. Best Rice
Gesto Culinary & Hospitality Academy – Shivdas Govind Pandit and Khwaja Abdul Kader
4. Best Dessert
Goa College Hospitality & Culinary Education – Sufeeyan Khan and Tarun Kalwani
5. Unique Presentation by Chef Choice
Agnel Institute of Food Crafts And Culinary Sciences – Vania Cotta and Sabrina Mascarenhas