Back in March The Okura Prestige Bangkok invited students studying in the hospitality, kitchen and tourism industries to take part in the cooking competition and received a large number of applications via short cooking videos on Facebook and video clips sent to the organising committee. In the first round of the competition, 9 hotel executives selected the top 11 applicants for face-to-face interviews with Master Chef Shigeru Hagiwara and the hotel's Director of Human Resources Khun Oraya Temkasarp. They then selected the 5 finalists who were given the opportunity to train for three weeks from 4 – 22 June 2018 in the kitchen of Yamazato Japanese Restaurant with Chef Hagiwara and his team. The finalists then put their culinary skills to the test and each presented special dishes at the Judges' Panel Night held on 22 June 2018.
On the first day of training in the kitchen at Yamazato Japanese Restaurant, the 5 finalists were assigned an alphabetic designation based on 'O K U R A':
- Representing O was Ms. Suppalak Jangka
- Representing K was Ms. Pitsinee Tsang
- Representing U was Mr. Wissarut Aroonsri
- Representing R was Mr. Teerapat Matthanu
- Representing A was Mr. Jaturawit Waiprib
During the training phase at Yamazato, Chef Hagiwara divided the training into 5 segments: sushi and sashimi, tempura, boiling and simmering, grilled and teppanyaki. All of the contestants received instruction under professional chefs for 3-days for each segment, rotating until the training was complete. In addition, Chef Hagiwara spent time every day with each contestant to give them intensive personal training on Japanese culinary techniques.
Throughout the three weeks of training, The Okura Prestige Bangkok invited its executive committee and the heads of each department in the hotel, plus members of the media and food specialists, to interview, assess and rate the contestants during visits to Yamazato's kitchen. The scoring criteria were based on the contestants' ability to learn and their level of commitment and participation.
During the last two days of training, each contestant had the opportunity to practise their culinary skills and to prepare to cook for the Judges' Panel Night. At the Judges' Panel Night on 22 June 2018 each contestant was required to prepare 4 dishes – sushi, sashimi, California maki and a special creation dish – and present them to the 12 judges who scored them on appearance and taste.
All of the contestants were awarded with a certificate of achievement from Chef Hagiwara on the last day of training.
The finalist who received the highest score, accumulated from the first day of training to the Judges' Panel Night, was Khun Wissarut Aroonsri from Dusit Thani College and he was presented with the winner's trophy, a specially designed Sake Box shaped as Mount Fuji, which the Japanese recognise as 'Ichi Ban' or Number One, by Chef Hagiwara. Khun Wissarut Aroonsri also received the highlight prize of a 9-day educational trip to Hotel Okura Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The trip, valued at more than Baht 100,000, includes air tickets, 8 nights' accommodation at Hotel Okura Amsterdam, luncheon and dinner at Michelin starred restaurants (Yamazato restaurant and Ciel Bleu restaurant), day trips in Amsterdam, visa and travel insurance, pocket money and, best of all, the opportunity to train under two-star Michelin Chef Onno Kokmeijer. Chef Onno holds the title SVH Meesterchef (master chef), awarded by the Dutch hospitality organisation Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca. SVH strives to promote professional knowledge in the hospitality industry and awards 'master' titles in five categories including chefs, hosts and sommeliers. The SVH 'master' title is the highest honour awarded by the Dutch hospitality industry. Other contestants were rewarded with vouchers for a 1-night stay at The Okura Prestige Bangkok, inclusive of breakfast for 2 persons.
For more inquiries about the competition and scoring, please contact the Public Relations Department at 02 687 9000 or [email protected].
About The Okura Prestige Bangkok
Opened in May 2012, The Okura Prestige Bangkok is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Located within the iconic award-winning Park Ventures Ecoplex in the heart of downtown Bangkok, the renowned luxury hotel has convenient direct access to the BTS SkyTrain at Phloen Chit station. The Okura Prestige Bangkok features 240 luxurious rooms and suites, three fine dining restaurants, an exclusive five-suite spa, a 25-metre infinity pool overlooking the city, a fitness centre, and outstanding facilities for meetings and events. Guests also enjoy gracious Thai hospitality and personal service to ensure a memorable stay in Bangkok.
About Okura Hotels & Resorts
Okura Hotels & Resorts is an international hotel group operated by Okura Nikko Hotel Management Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Hotel Okura Company Ltd. With a corporate philosophy of providing the Best Accommodation, Best Cuisine and Best Service (Best A.C.S.), the business portfolio of Okura Hotels & Resorts comprises some 25 properties in Asia, Europe and The Americas. At the same time Okura Nikko Hotel Management Company Ltd., operates two other hotel groups, i.e. Nikko Hotels International with 36 properties and Hotel JAL City with 12 properties.
In the history of 39 years since its formation, Okura Hotels & Resorts has built up a global network of high-quality international hotels, fusing the delicate beauty and subtleties of Japanese culture with Western convenience and functionality. The Prestige collection embodies the business philosophy of 'Best A.C.S.' through peerless hotels created in Japan and all over the world.