Following the success of Potatoes USA HUTECH Young Chefs 2023, on April 5, the We Are One Club under the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), in collaboration with Potatoes USA, hosted the grand finale of the culinary competition “HUTECH Young Chefs 2024 – The Wonderful Flavors of U.S. Potatoes.”
Distinguished guests joined the program, including Ms. Quynh Nguyen – Representative of the Potatoes USA liaison office in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Phu Minh Khanh – Director of the Southeast Asian Center for Culinary Culture Research and Application.
Guests attending the program
Representing HUTECH were Dr. Ly Thien Trang – Vice President, Dr. Huynh Ngoc Anh – Vice President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quyet Thang – Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Mr. Bui Trong Tien Bao – Vice Dean, Mr. Ho Duc Sinh – Director of the Center for Corporate Relations.
HUTECH leaders welcomed the guests to the event
Serving as judges for the competition were Mr. Norbert Ehrbar - International Chef, Mr. Tran Ho Nhut Linh - Champion of Iron Chef Vietnam 2012, Mr. David Long - Vice President of the International Super Chefs Association in Vietnam.
Two of the esteemed judges of “HUTECH Young Chefs 2024”
During the event, Dr. Ly Thien Trang shared, “This competition is a valuable opportunity for students to express their passion for culinary arts and showcase their cooking talents. The creative themes allow students to shine and further ignite their enthusiasm as they pursue their chosen career paths.”
Before the final round, students attended an informative workshop where they watched educational videos on food hygiene and safety during preparation and cooking. They also learned about the nutritional value of three U.S. potato products, fresh, frozen, and dehydrated, as well as expert tips for proper home storage, such as keeping potatoes in a cool, ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight, and not using sprouted potatoes.
HUTECH students attentively listened to insights shared by guest speakers
A special highlight of the event was a live cooking demonstration by international chef Mr. Norbert Ehrbar, who presented three delicious dishes using U.S. potatoes: Titan fries, potato salad, and salmon potato soup.
A variety of appealing dishes were prepared by Chef Norbert Ehrbar
After advancing from the preliminary round, the 12 finalist teams had 90 minutes in the grand finale to prepare two dishes using U.S. potatoes as the main ingredient, followed by a five-minute presentation on their creations.
Finalist teams competed with creativity and skill in the finale

The “HUTECH Chefs” created a diverse range of flavorful potato dishes
The enthusiastic crowd cheered on the contestants
After a thrilling and exciting competition, the results were as follows: First Prize: Team Koko Bird; Second Prize: Team Zerstorer; Third Prize: Team Creative; Talent Awards: Team Foodie and Team Khanh Duyen.
Memorable prizes and championship trophies were awarded to the winning teams
“HUTECH Young Chefs 2024” created valuable experiences for students to explore, connect, and learn
The “HUTECH Young Chefs 2024” competition served as an exciting and meaningful platform for students to explore their passion for culinary arts, enhance their skills, and gain practical experience. With knowledge gained from the pre-event workshop, opportunities to interact with top chefs, and the hands-on challenge of the competition, students walked away with not only inspiration but also valuable insights, experiences, and connections for their future careers.
News by: Ngoc Huyen
Photos by: Quoc Dat, Tuan Minh
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