With an intense passion for the culinary arts, Nguyen Ngoc Phu – a student of Culinary Arts Faculty at Saigontourist Hospitality College – has triumphed over many talented contestants from top culinary institutions in Ho Chi Minh City to win First Prize in the “Taste of Australia Culinary Competition 2025,” held on April 12 at The Reverie Saigon.
The championship comes to a total prize value of VND 100 million and a three-month internship at AKUNA – a Michelin-starred restaurant. This is a worthy reward for Phu’s relentless efforts and dedication.
The competition is a highlight event under the Taste of Australia 2025 food festival, organized by the Australian Consulate-General to promote premium Australian ingredients and cuisine to Vietnamese consumers, and simultaneously fostering connections between young chefs and top professionals in the industry.
With talent, creativity, and professional demeanor, Phu impressed the panel of judges, which included:
Chef Ngo Thanh Hoa – Taste of Australia 2025 Ambassador, owner of East by Ngo Thanh Hoa, and MasterChef Vietnam 2013 Champion
Chef Sam Aisbett – Michelin-starred chef and Executive Chef at Akuna, Le Meridien Saigon
Chef Frank Pham – Owner of Society Café & Dining and the Culinary Frank YouTube Channel
Chef Aeron Thinh – Executive Chef at Tomatito Saigon
Phu’s standout performance came in Round 2 – the Creative Challenge using Australian ingredients – where he showcased strong technical skills, impressive presentation, and a deep respect for the core ingredients. His dish truly embodied the spirit of “culinary art as a cultural fusion.”
During his study journey at Saigontourist Hospitality College, Phu has also achieved numerous accolades, including:
Third Prize – 2023 U.S. Potato Cooking Competiti
Consolation Prize – 2024 CMAB Culinary School Training and Pizza Contest
Silver Medal – 2024 Vietnam Culinary VNCC Class Chicken U.S.
These awards mark significant milestones in Phu’s journey of perseverance and growth.
Winning the top prize in this prestigious competition is not only a testament to Nguyen Ngoc Phu’s talent and hard work, but also an immense pride for the college’s teachers and students community. It further reinforces the high-quality, hands-on, internationally-integrated training that Saigontourist Hospitality College consistently delivers.
Saigontourist Hospitality College proudly stands as a cradle of passion, a nurturing ground for talent, and a trusted
