Seafood Expo Asia Announces Finalists Of The Third Annual Young Chef Challenge

HONG KONG, CHINA -�Media
OutReach - 8 August
2019 - The Young Chef Challenge is back for the third year when Seafood Expo
Asia opens its door at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 3-5
September 2019.  The Young Chef Challenge,
which debuted in 2017 as an initiative of Diversified Communications, organizer
of Seafood Expo Asia, aims to nurture young culinary talents and promote
sustainable seafood options.

Pan Seared Scallops on Avocado Terrine and Crab Meat Cantaloupe Parcel With Lemon Olive Oil Dressing by Ms Tse Yan Lui, Demi Chef, Disney Explorers Hotel, winner of Young Chef Challenge 2018

Judging panel for Young Chef Challenge 2019, from left Chef Matthew Woolford, Executive Chef, Kerry Hotel Hong Kong, Chef Esther Sham, Executive Chef, Director of Maison ES, Chef Glenn Saussey, Executive Chef, Renaissance, Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong.

Seafood Expo Asia is the region’s leading
showcase of the
world’s premium seafood products, equipment and services as well the preferred
industry meeting place for buyers and suppliers looking for the latest seafood industry
trends. Last year, the exposition attracted over 7580 seafood professionals
from 68 countries and over 220 exhibitors from 34 countries.

 

According to WWF*,
Hong Kong ranks second in terms of seafood consumption in Asia, and is the
world’s eighth largest seafood consumption market, consuming 65.5 kg per capita
on average each year. This number is more than three times higher than the
global average.  While about 90 per cent
of the world’s natural fish stocks are either fully or over-exploited, it is
imperative to promote the awareness of sustainable seafood options.

 

However,
sustainable seafood consumption is on the rise. A report from Coherent Market
Insights** stated that the global sustainable seafood market was valued at
US$12.71 billion in 2017 and is projected for a CAGR of 4.97% over the period
of 2018- 2025. Growth of the global sustainable seafood market is due to growing
awareness amongst consumers and manufacturers on sustainable certified seafood.

 

The Young Chef Challenge
features a cook-off between six of Hong Kong’s top rising culinary talents, who
are required to use sustainable seafood ingredients that are only revealed to
them on the day of the live events.  They
will be mentored by a panel of judges who will comment on their skills as well
as their responsible and sustainable culinary practices. “This competition is a
great way for young chefs to broaden their experience outside their
kitchens!  The live cook-off experience
and the feedback from the judging panel certainly helped to elevate my skills
and food preparation knowledge,” said Miss Tsz Yan Lui, winner of the 2018
Young Chef Challenge.

 

The 2019 judging
panel brings together established culinary professional including Chef Robert
Nilsson, Culinary Director, W Hong Kong; Chef Glenn Saussey, Executive Chef,
Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong; Chef Matthew Woolford, Executive
Chef, Kerry Hotel Hong Kong, Chef Esther Sham. Executive Chef, Director of
Maison ES, and Young Chef Challenge Ambassador, Chef Gabriel Choy,
Winner of the Gordon Ramsay Scholar competition 2005.  Members of the judging panel are enthusiastic
in promoting ethically sourced food ingredients and embracing the concept of
nurturing the next generation of culinary talents.

 

Six of the
industry’s most promising young culinary talents have been selected as the
finalists for this year’s onsite live cook-off. 
They are Wing Chiu, TANG , Jr. sous chef, Hong Kong Jockey Club; Kit
Ying, LAM, Commis No. 2, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
(Management) Limited; Hon Kit, KWOK, Demi Chef de Partie, Peninsula Hotel
(Felix Kitchen); Yat Ho, TAM, Commis 1, Kerry Hotel Hong Kong; Yat Chun, TAM,
Chef de Partie, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort; and Lam Cheung, CHAN, Fryer No. 3,
Regal Airport Hotel.

 

“The Young Chef
Challenge was conceptualized based on industry feedback for the need of a
competition for culinary industry young talents,” commented Mrs. Liz Plizga,
Group Vice President for Diversified Communications. “The competition provides the
perfect opportunity for them to showcase their talents while learning from
industry veterans, advance their skills and gain knowledge on sustainable
seafood choices.”  

 

Evergreen Conglomerate, one of the top sustainable
aquaculture producers in China, is the cash prize sponsor for the Young Chef
Challenge.  The winner will receive
US$2000 while the 1^st runner up will get a US$1000 cash prize. 

 

For the full event schedule and more
information on Seafood Expo Asia or to register for a free media pass, please
visit www.seafoodexpo.com/asia.

About Seafood Expo Asia

Seafood
Expo Asia is a trade event where buyers and suppliers of seafood from around
the world come together to network and conduct business in the lucrative Hong
Kong and Asia Pacific markets.  The event’s ten edition takes place from
the 3-5 September 2019 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in
Wanchai, Hong Kong. SeafoodSource is the
exposition’s official media covering industry news year-round. The exposition
is produced by Diversified Communications and is co-located with Restaurant
& Bar Hong Kong.  www.seafoodexpo.com/asia.

 

About
Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international
media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences,
online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these
market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and
strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and
beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology.
The company’s global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood
Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo
Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com.
Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions
and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately
held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com