Experiences in HFC3M: Fired Up!

Fired Up!

Dec/03/2017 JINSHITAN, Dalian-This weekend sparked the birth of what is to be a sensational biannual event of the future. Maple Leaf’s Food and Nutrition classes from Tianjin and Dalian had participated in an unofficial Iron Chef Competition that proved to be successful in the fields that it needed to be as a first forth coming event. Inclusiveness of campuses and outreach to expertise sharing between professionals are areas that make the Iron Chef competition a must hold event by MLIS.

Two events were held, the first was a voluntary “choice recipe” round followed by a timed and carefully selected “mystery ingredient” round. This first round was held in the Kaifaqu “MLIS Canadian Food Court” whereas the second event was held in the well put together and intimate Fusion Cafe of DMLIS. As a first time event this provided the students, teachers and hosts with a lot of valuable feedback and areas for improvement.

With direction and feedback, the competition is looking quite promising as it develops in the future. This is creating a lot of conversation between campus teachers, students, and now parents. Tianjin had sent over 4 students (two boys and two girls), Snow Wu, Crystal Anderson, Eric Gao, and Kevin Liu. They were led by Nick Roberts (Food and Nutrition 12 teacher) who had worked with the two girls previously and prospecting the two gentlemen as students for a possible “Culinary Arts 12” class.

Dalian MLIS was well represented by Tory Zhang (current Food and Nutrition 12 student of Mr.Bono); Mike Tracer (revered Teacher Assistant to Mr.Bono’s class); and Harry Ni (modest master of noodles from Bono’s class). Saturday’s event was dampened with the overbearing responsibility of classes of other potential representatives but the team that pulled through in the Sunday event was astonishing in their ability to work together and their creations. Harry Ni pulled together a bowl of “Dao Xiao Mian” (Knife Cut Noodles), using hand made noodles! Tory modestly pulled together Fluffy French Toast with a beautiful aroma of Vanilla, while Tracer (although a little late to the competition) garnished and plated accordingly to add beauty to a french toast, apple crumble. Sunday’s event left no room for mistakes as it truly was a race against time.

Saturday however, had proven fantastic for the reason of the time lift on the food as Snow (Robert’s former Food and Nutrition 12 student), Crystal (TA in Food and Nutrition to Roberts), Eric (prospective Food and Nutrition students), and Kevin (also a prospective student) were chewing through their ingredients. Saturday started early with a trip to the Jinshitan Saturday market in which the students were able to purchase and chose the ingredients they wanted to use in their dishes. Yes, that is correct-dishES! Roberts spared no time before the competition in making sure his students were capable of identifying a balanced meal and complimentary flavours. Kevin and Eric were competing in a fun demonstrative cooking activity at the Kaifaqu “MLIS Canadian Food Court”. On the table was first laid out a Scallops dish, beautifully arranged followed by Spicy Tofu and then Sweet and Sour Spareribs. All done to the fullest extent of Chinese Tradition. The two ladies on the other hand, went for a more difficult and western approach, “Gordon Ramsey style Christmas Beef Wellington” along with a mushroom paste coating the bacon layer of the dish. The entree was accompanied by a beautifully fluffy honey Dijon mustard infused yam puree glazed with honey and coupled with boiled chestnuts.

No official winners were deemed at this competition but it is safe to say Tianjin was here to work, and work they did. Mr. Roberts and his students have left an impression on the Dalian boys and Mr.Bono-another group cook off is indeed is in the near future. All said and done, twas a great weekend and hoping to have it followed up with a bigger and with more campuses involved in the future.