It's the first ever teambuilding event for the AAIJK PS Team!
Arranged by the PS team's self-appointed Chief Entertainment Officer Bharath and with Kanitha's help, the teambuilding a la Food Network Challenge was set in the kitchen studio of
Cookyn Inc. tucked somewhere along the Rangoon Road.
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| The Wacky Wannabe Chefs |
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Thanks to Cookyn Inc for the hosting and facilitating the cookfest
and for the pictures for this teambuilding event |
We were divided into three teams and each representing a unique cuisine. Takagi-san and team got the
Japanese theme. The
Spanish cuisine was led by Pepe (of course). We thought those were pretty convenient set-up. And last but not the least, my team got the
Vietnamese cuisine, not to mention we had to battle it out with only 5 members for the greater part of the competition. We should have named our team Voltes V.
Ready, Get Set, Cook!
Each team will prepare two dishes, the quantity should be able to cover the PS team attendees. The gastronomic value of the dishes will determine whether or not we will have an enjoyable group dinner later after the cookfest!
One of the two dishes is unique to the group's theme and will have to incorporate a special ingredient that was revealed in the middle of the competition. The "challenge" dish will be common for all three teams (Potato Salad) and will also need to incorporate the second special ingredient. This must be presented in a way that epitomizes the cuisine being represented by each team.
We had one hour and fifty minutes to complete the task, including preparation, plating, poster making and clean-up. Each team will then have to plate up their masterpieces and and a chosen speaker will have to present this to the entire group with posters/visual aids to boot! Needless to say, our artwork planners were indeed very busy in the dying minutes of the competition!
See the different teams in action!
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| Getting ready for some serious cooking! |
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| The seaweed as the Japanese team's secret ingredient |
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| Whip it! |
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| Chef Pepe calling the shots! |
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| Andre and Regina in charge of the challenge dish |
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| All done and ready for the presentation |
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| Wrap away !!! |
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Multi-tasking at its best.
"Hey, start thinking of the poster design while you are peeling the mango and potatoes, ok?" |
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| Can't wait to try 'em! |
A closer look at the final products... all world class creations!
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Turning Japanese
Strawberry and Green Tea Trifle and their version of Potato Salad ala Sushi Roll |
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| ...and I need to get the recipe for this!!!! Yummy! |
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| Spanish "El Torero" Team's Chicken in a Parcel and Chunky Potato Salad |
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| A closer look with a dash of the Pimiento powder |
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The Dai Doi (Great Food) Team's Vietnamese Spring Rolls and
Creamy Potato Salad with Caramelized Lychee, Red Pepper and Onion topping |
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| Top View. This plating also showcases the mango, the special topping and a dollop of the peanut sauce. |
And the Winner is... The Vietnamese Team!!!
Creative presentation, clock-work precision and teamwork won the day!
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| Once in a lifetime chance to win an I-PADdle! |
And the final verdict is in the tasting!
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| Cheers to the PS team!!! |
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| And, it's the moment of truth... Time to taste the dishes! |
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| Seriously Now! |
You can say that it has been truly a tough competition, with each team, true to the indomitable PS Spirit, gave their best and also had fun in the process! Campai to the PS Team for a job well done!
