With a burning passion for cuisine, Nguyen Ngoc Phu - a student of Saigontourist Hospitality College has excelled over many talented candidates from leading training institutions in Ho Chi Minh City to win First Prize in the "Taste of Australian Cuisine 2025" competition, which took place on April 12 at the Reverie Hotel.
With a total prize of up to 100 million VND and 3 months of internship at 1 Michelin star restaurant AKUNA, it is a valuable reward for Nguyen Ngoc Phu's efforts.
The competition is one of the key activities within the framework of the Taste of Australia 2025 Food Festival, organized by the Australian Consulate General, to promote premium ingredients and the quintessence of Australian cuisine to Vietnamese consumers, while creating opportunities to connect young chefs with leading experts in the industry.
With his talent, creativity and professionalism, Phu conquered the panel of judges, including big names such as Chef Ngo Thanh Hoa - Representative of Taste of Australia 2025, owner of East by Ngo Thanh Hoa restaurant, Champion of MasterChef Vietnam 2013; Chef Sam Aisbett - Michelin star chef, Executive Chef of Akuna restaurant - Le Meridien Saigon; Chef Frank Pham - Owner of Society Café & Dining restaurant, owner of YouTube channel Culinary Frank; Chef Aeron Thinh - Head Chef of Tomatito Saigon.
In particular, the dish created by Phu in Round 2 - Creative Challenge with Australian Ingredients left a strong impression thanks to its solid technique, impressive presentation and spirit of honoring the ingredients, true to the spirit of "culinary art is the art of cultural exchange".
In addition, during his studies at Saigontourist School, this excellent student won the Third Prize in the 2023 American Potato Cooking Contest, the Encouragement Prize in the 2024 CMAB Culinary School Training and Pizza Contest, and especially the Silver Medal in the VietNam Culinary VNCC class Chicken US 2024. These are awards that mark Nguyen Ngoc Phu's efforts.
The First Prize in this competition is not only a testament to Nguyen Ngoc Phu’s ability and continuous efforts, but also a source of great pride for the school’s faculty and students. This result continues to affirm the quality of training with solid skills, professionalism, practicality, and international integration that Saigontourist School always pursues.
Saigontourist School is always proud to be the place to inspire passion, nurture talent and accompany the generation of young Vietnamese chefs to reach out to the world!
