Group's 1st Menu Creativity Contest Was Held
| March 2, 2010 |
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March 12, 2010 |
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Archon Hospitality held its first Menu Creativity Contest at Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay on March 2, 2010.Under the theme of “Appetizer with White Asparagus,” Archon Hospitality called all the 12 group hotels for participants, among whom 33 people from nine hotels applied. On March 2, the cooking contest and awards ceremony was held with five finalists from four hotels who advanced from the first round contest.
The six judges included the chief judge, Mr. Hidemasa Yamamoto, the former executive chef of Mandarin Oriental Tokyo. They examined aspects such as “Taste,” “Presentation,” “Simple Process,” and “Creativity.” After judging, Hotel Nikko Alivila Mr. Hiroshi Nakamoto's “White Asparagus in Two Different Cooking Styles” won the grand prix, and Oriental Hotel Hiroshima Ms. Emi Ago's “Herb Rolled White Asparagus Blancmange with Pistachio” won the special prize.
Mr. Nakamoto, the grand prix winner, is entitled to receive an on-the-job-training at his designated group hotel, while his menu will be offered at hotels who wish to participate.
The five finalists are:Mr. Hiroshi Nakamoto of Hotel Nikko Alivila *Grand Prix Winner
Ms. Emi Ago of Oriental Hotel Hiroshima *Special Prize Winner
Mr. Shigeki Higashibata of Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel
Mr. Tsutomu Noda of Hotel Centraza Hakata
Mr. Naoya Arakaki of Hotel Nikko Alivila
Though there was a tense atmosphere at the beginning as some of the finalists competed in a contest for the first time, all the participants seemingly displayed their abilities and felt accomplished at the end.
“White Asparagus” was chosen as this vegetable requires a refined sense and cooking craft as a main course. Mr. Nakamoto's dish (see photo) was selected by “its two distinguished ways of making the best use of the ingredient and its fineness,” while Ms. Ego's dish for “its conception and creativity.”Mr. Nakamoto said, “I'd like to share my happiness with my colleagues and the chief in Okinawa as I believe I won this prize with their support.”
All the judges, including the chief Mr. Yamamoto, found this contest at a “very high level and a difficult one.” In order to improve staff's cooking proficiency, Archon Hospitality will continue this Menu Creativity Contest annually.
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