Mekong Delta hosts pangasius cooking competition

The contest was organised by the Vietnam Pangasius Association to create a culinary competition and offer an opportunity for fish producers to provide more imaginative ways of presenting the fish. The contest ended on Sunday.

Ten teams from the central region, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta. According to the rules, each of the 2 person teams needed to create a modern and traditional pangasius dish within an hour. The organisers then judged the dishes and gives points.

"I think the idea of organising such contest is great! It helps promote our local specialties, which is pangasius and basa fish from the Mekong Delta", said Nguyen Huu Thanh, Deputy Director, Ba Giao Khoe 55555 Ltd., An Giang Prov.

The organisers were delighted by the creative and professional approach taken by all the teams. Their skills were displayed in their decoration, choice of spices and even the names of the dishes.

"We organised this contest to promote pangasius as an ingredient as well as our pangasius products to both domestic and international consumers", said Nguyen Viet Thang, Chairman, Vietnam Pangasius Association.

At the end of the contest, first prize went to FoodLab Ltd. from Ho Chi Minh City for their Fried one-sun-dried pangasius with coriander sauce and Sous-vide pangasius with mashed coconuts and curry sauc. The contest not only provided a competitive arena for the chefs but also an opportunity for fish businesses to provide more imaginative ways of presenting this popular fish as part of their drive for greater efficiency.