Contestants Compete in Culinary Race
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Despite the chilly weather outside, the air in the kitchen was almost on fire as apron-clad men crowded over stoves and cutting boards.
The cooking competition wasn’t an episode of ``Iron Chef’’ but one of the many challenges that the participants of Mr World 2010, underway in Korea, faced in the race to become ``the world’s most desirable man.’’
After taking in some fresh morning air at Mt. Nam, northern Seoul, Sunday, in the Hankook Ilbo’s monthly Turtle Marathon, the international representatives gathered at the Korea House to whip up their very own bowls of ``bibimbap’’ (mixed vegetable rice).
The contestants, divided into four teams (black, blue, red, yellow), had to prepare the ingredients, including cooking the rice and dicing the vegetables, and present something not only tasty but also mouthwatering to look at.
The panel of judges included Chung Kil-ja, Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 38 for her expertise in Korean cuisine. ``I don’t believe in rating food because what truly matters is the care that goes into the cooking. But I decided to judge the event because this is something fun and meaningful,’’ said Chung.
Indeed, Mr Germany, Michael Pichler, said, ``I’m doing it with my heart, which is what counts.’’
Some seemed more comfortable in the kitchen, such as England’s Andreas Kattou and Denmark’s Keven Skroder, who both have professional experience in restaurants.
But cooking veterans or not, everyone was in the same boat when it came to ``hansik’’ (Korean cuisine).
``I make fish and chips in London but this is my first time making Asian food. It’s very enjoyable,’’ said Kattou. Skroder, while chopping carrots with finesse, said he had tasted bibimbap before and couldn’t wait to taste his own version of the dish.
Inder Bajwa, who cooks as a hobby back home in India, said it was his first time working with Korean-style sticky rice. ``I love cooking; it relieves stress. I will put some Indian touches,’’ he said, smiling.
Others seemed to have more trouble handling knives and following the recipe, however. A few members of the blue team had mixed the vegetables too much in advance while some from the yellow team had chopped the ``doraji’’ (balloon flower root) into the wrong shape.
Individual competence however was of minor importance, for it was a team challenge. ``I was keeping an eye out for good teamwork,’’ said Miss Korea 2009 Kim Joo-ri, also one of the judges. The rowdy black team disturbed the buzz in the room from time to time, cheerfully shouting, ``Who’s gonna win? Black team!’’
Though everyone made their own bibimbap, each team had to select just one representative. When the blue team couldn’t decide, one of the Korea House staff members was called forth to help with the verdict _ ``Colombia’s is more traditionally Korean while Croatia’s is more artistic. You should do rock, paper, scissors,’’ she said.
Mr China Zhao Lei’s creation, however, was chosen to represent the blue team, to contend against the bibimbap by the red (Turkey), black (New Zealand) and yellow (Guadeloupe). The blue won over the judges.
Colombia’s Camilo Tocancipa Garcia received the honor on behalf of his team; he celebrated not only winning the challenge but also his 21st birthday. ``I’m very happy. (My team and I) worked all together and we won,’’ he said with a big grin.
Meanwhile other members concluded the competition by savoring their own creations for lunch. Carlos Ortega, from Honduras, was seen eating a plain, sauce-less bibimbap while Ireland’s Kamal Orlando Ibrahim was devouring a bright red version.
``The red pepper sauce makes it better. I never cooked before so I was worried but it was great,’’ said the Irishman.
``This is the happiest day in my life,’’ said Kim Maeng-ryung, president of the Korea House, grinning widely in his green hanbok.
``It’s meaningful because these special foreign guests have experienced not just the taste but the actual process of cooking Korean food, and they can go home and share the fond memories. This is truly what we can call promoting local cuisine overseas, and I’d like to thank The Hankook Ilbo-The Korea Times Media Group.’’
``I like Korean food, it’s sweet and spicy. I love learning culture from the inside _ `hanguk jo-ayo’ (I like Korea),’’ said Mr Peru Manuel Illich, who stood out for his enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, some 20 elementary, middle and high school students from The Korea Times Junior Reporter Association were spotted busily interviewing contestants.
The gentlemen went on to watch folk performances and a traditional-style wedding at the venue, before touring Gyeongbok Palace in downtown Seoul.
