Marriott International hosts culinary competition celebrating 'K-Food' with hotel chefs

Marriott International is spotlighting "K-Food" by hosting a major culinary competition that brings together chefs from its various hotel brands across South Korea. This initiative aims to foster innovation in Korean cuisine and enhance the food and beverage offerings within the hospitality group.

The competition culminated in a final tasting event held at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. Top culinary teams from Aloft Seoul Myeongdong, Fairfield by Marriott Busan Songdo Beach, and Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun presented their creatively reinterpreted Korean dishes. These teams competed fiercely, showcasing their unique culinary philosophies and utilizing ingredients like U.S. beef and pork.

A standout feature of this competition was its departure from traditional closed judging. Marriott implemented an open evaluation system, incorporating both professional judges and a consumer panel. This approach allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the dishes, considering not only their taste and visual appeal but also their commercial viability and potential for mass production in hotel buffets.

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This project provides a stage for young culinary talents to express their potential and systematically cultivates the next generation of food and beverage professionals.

The winning team, from Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, impressed with dishes like "Ancourt Korean Galbi Jjim" (braised short ribs baked in a pastry crust) and "Seo-neul, Ho-yeop Mandu Guk" (dumpling soup). Their innovative fusion of Western techniques, such as the ancout method, with traditional Korean flavors, alongside a pairing with a specific Scotch whisky, earned high praise.

Beyond the accolades, the winning team receives a significant opportunity: a 5-night, 7-day culinary tour of North America, including visits to Napa Valley wineries. Furthermore, the most successful creations from the competition will be officially added to the menus of 17 Marriott-affiliated restaurants across South Korea from July 13 to August 31, transforming innovative ideas into tangible, revenue-generating content.

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We will continue to expand high-quality food content based on this final competition, which involved the public, to further solidify our brand competitiveness.