[Provided by Yeungnam University of Science and Technology]
[Provided by Yeungnam University of Science and Technology]

Yeungnam University of Science and Technology held its sixth national cooking and baking competition for high school students Saturday at its Western cuisine and baking practice facilities on campus, drawing participants from high schools and culinary hagwon across the country.

The competition was designed to give high school students with an interest and talent in cooking and baking a chance to showcase their abilities while experiencing the university's hands-on culinary and bakery education environment firsthand.

Aspiring food service professionals from high schools and culinary hagwon nationwide competed across cooking and baking categories.

The university said the event aimed to identify promising talent in the food service industry early while giving students weighing their career and college options a concrete taste of practical training and campus life in the field.

The live competition, held in actual practice facilities, required participants to demonstrate creativity, technical skill, hygiene management and overall presentation within a set time limit.

Cooking category participants prepared original single-dish pasta creations using Korean ingredients, while the baking category centered on original Dubai Chewy Cookie designs.

Before competing, participants submitted recipes and written descriptions of their dishes, then communicated the characteristics of their menus and products during the competition itself.

Judges evaluated each entry on applied cooking and baking technique, understanding of ingredients, and completion within the allotted time, assessing each participant's potential and capacity for growth.

President Lee Jae-yong said the competition gave high school students with a passion and aptitude for cooking and baking a stage to demonstrate their skills. "I hope the experience has boosted their confidence in their chosen field and serves as a stepping stone toward becoming the professional talent that will lead the food service industry," he said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com