CJMY
Brand 21, in partnership with BERJAYA University College (BUC), recently hosted the highly anticipated Gourmet Black Box Challenge 2023. This culinary extravaganza brought together ten teams from BUC’s Culinary Arts program, with each team consisting of two talented students.
The event, held at BUC, featured an inter-cooking competition where these aspiring chefs showcased their signature dishes. Six distinguished judges, including renowned chefs and industry experts, were invited to evaluate and determine the winners among the exquisite creations.
The inter-cooking competition: Showcasing innovation and creativity
The Gourmet Black Box Challenge 2023 commenced with an afternoon inter-cooking competition that set the stage for culinary excellence. The ten teams from BUC displayed their culinary skills, incorporating innovation and creativity into their signature dishes. The challenge required them to create a Starter and a Main Course using fresh salmon as the base ingredient, generously sponsored by Samonyu.
Prominent judges, including Puan Sri Nisa Bakri from Nisa Bakri Gourmet, Chef Fadzly Che Omar from the Gastronomy Association of Malaysia, Puan Zaidah from Tsuka Dining, Chef Gunawan Wu, a renowned celebrity chef, Elva Koh from Samonyu, and Dr. Moses Wong from the World Consumers’ Protection Chamber of Commerce, had the enviable task of tasting and evaluating the dishes.
The judges assessed each creation based on factors such as creativity, plating, and flavor, ultimately selecting the finest and most innovative dishes as winners.
Gourmet Black Box VIP Fine Dining: An exquisite culinary experience
The culinary journey continued into the evening with the highly anticipated Gourmet Black Box VIP Fine Dining experience. The event took place at BUC’s elegant fine dining restaurant, Samplings on the Fourteenth, located on the 14th floor of Berjaya Times Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The restaurant’s staff and students from the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism (FHT) beautifully adorned the venue with a red-and-black-themed decor, setting the stage for a sophisticated evening.
The VIP dinner was graced by two Guests of Honor, YBhg. Datin Rafidah Idris from Tourism Malaysia and Puan Norlela Binti Baharudin from Berjaya Corporation Berhad. These esteemed guests also presided over the certificate presentation ceremony. The full-course menu, expertly prepared by chefs and students from the Faculty of Culinary Arts (FCA), delighted the guests with its exquisite flavors and presentation.
The winners of the Gourmet Black Box Challenge 2023 were Alliza Hanim and Claudia Quah. Their outstanding starter, “Salmon & prawn tartare with salmon jerky & spicy mango along with pickled radish & cucumber,” and main course, “Pan fried salmon topped with garlic breadcrumbs served with pomme puree along with avocado sauce & sautéed vegetables,” impressed the judges with their creativity and culinary finesse.
The Gourmet Black Box Challenge 2023 proved to be a resounding success, capturing the hearts of guests and organizers alike with its culinary marvels and unforgettable moments.
Special thanks were extended to Samonyu, the main hosting partner, for their support in hosting the Gourmet Black Box VIP Fine Dining event and sponsoring the gourmet ingredients. Ms. Elva Koh, the founder of Samonyu, delivered a memorable keynote address and introduced the new halal product, Salmon Jerky.
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