Winners emerge in Korea cooking competition

Winners have emerged from the second round of the 2024 maiden edition of ‘Hansik’ (Korean food) contest in Abuja which was held last Saturday.

Adenike Mogbojuri won the ‘Ganjang Jjimdak’ category while Francis Anna Apona won the ‘Japchae’ and Mmadubueze Cynthia Nkiruka won the ‘Dakbogkeumtang’.

Other winners are Victor Mac-Adonai Ogagaoghene in ‘Japchae’ and ‘Vegan Japchae’, Hauwa Ibrahim Nuhu (Kosai with Doenjang, Doenjang Goat Pepper Soup), Jibrin Halima Sadiya (Nigerian Gochujang Beef Stew), Mamofede Tamarautarelayefa & Ogbalu Pearl Chuwugozirim (Ganjang Jjimdak), Patience Vincent Berepele (Gochujang Jjigae with Nigerian Fusion) and Yahya Umar Bindir (Dakgangjeong).

The competition is in preparation for the final of the contest scheduled for Aug. 31.

The competition was organised by the Korea Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN).

Mr Kim Changki, Director, KCCN said many Nigerians are in love with Korean foods and they derive pleasure in preparing them.

“I am very happy because Nigerians cook Korean foods very well with great taste. In fact, our Korean chef judge highly commended the wonderful dish prepared by one of them,” he said.

Changki added that the cooking initiative had helped Nigerian youths to be more creative.

”Since we started this cooking programme, Nigerian youths have shown much interest.

“I want this event to continue annually with the hope that the Korean government will keep supporting it financially.

“The dishes that stood out to me were the Gochujang Jjigae, and Doenjang Jjigae which tasted so good.

Also speaking, Chef Godfrey Odoh, Vice President, North Central Association of Professional Chef Nigeria, said the collaboration between Nigeria and Korea would help push Nigerian recipes into the global market.

Odoh, who is also the Chief Executive officer of Mario Global Consulting Limited, said the competition added fusion cuisines, which comprised Nigerian and Korean ingredients.