The 1st Vietnam Talented chefs's Competition - 2025 is organized by Lam Dong chefs' Association (LPCA) in coordination with the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), the Vietnam Cook Association (VCF) and the Lam Dong Tourism Association (LTA).
For the first time, the contest attracted the participation of 48 teams with nearly 150 contestants from 25 provinces and cities across the country. The teams will compete with 144 official dishes, using typical ingredients of Lam Dong plateau combined with delicious seafood, creating unique culinary works.
The dishes will be evaluated by the Jury of leading prestigious domestic and international experts based on many criteria such as: creativity, processing techniques, flavor and presentation.
Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, spoke at the event: The contest is both a playground connecting culinary clubs across the country, and also demonstrates the importance of Vietnamese cuisine in developing culinary tourism brands in Lam Dong province in particular and Vietnam in general. From this competition, chefs can create their own brand.
On the side of the Head of the Organizing Committee, Vice Chairman of VCF, Mr. Nguyen Huu Huong shared about the mission of the Competition: "We hope to converge the culinary culture of the 'New Lam Dong Province' (Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, Dak Nong), contributing to raising the value of Vietnamese cuisine".
One of the special highlights of the Competition is the ceremony to honor National Culinary Artisans organized by the Vietnam Kitchen Association (VCF). To encourage the younger generation of chefs, all participating candidates will receive a Certificate of national and international recognition.
Also at the event, an important signing ceremony for cooperation between Lam Dong Professional Kitchen Association and training facilities took place, aiming to closely coordinate in developing high-quality human resources in the culinary sector.
After more than 60 minutes of competition, all 148 dishes were completed by the chefs. Immediately after that, the competitions were judges scored according to 5 different criteria.
As a result, in the team event, Dong Nai Tourism Joint Stock Company won the first prize - Gold Medal; 2 second prizes went to Leguda - Thuy Ta Restaurant (Dalat Tourist) and TTC Empirial Hue Hotel; 3 third prizes went to Thien Anh Young Chefs Group, Dala Group Company and Saigon Professional Chefs Association. In addition, there are 5 consolation prizes and 8 potential prizes.
In the individual award, chef Nguyen Van Dai (Vietnamese Com Newcomer) won the Championship; 2 runner-up prizes went to Nguyen Cong Thanh ( colline Hotel) and Nguyen Duc Hoai (Nicedream - Thuy Ta - Langbiang); 4 third prizes were Nguyen Thanh Quy (Thanh Dien Young Chefs Group), Nguyen Le Trung Thien ( Mercure Resort), Nguyen Nhut (Binh Thuan Professional Chefs Association) and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tran (TTC Premium Resort Doc Let); and 5 consolation prizes.
