Michelin star chefs gather in Hanoi for Culinary Stars week

Eighteen leading culinary stars from around the world, including eight decorated Michelin star chefs, are taking part in the second edition of the Metropole Culinary Stars week hosted by Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi from October 6 to 13.

Sunday, October 06, 2019 05:31

Leading culinary stars from around the world gather at the Metropole Hanoi to introduce their best dishes at Metropole Culinary Stars 2019. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

Following last year’s successful inaugural event, the eight-day culinary extravaganza, which opened on Sunday, features unique recipes from celebrated chefs in a series of typical meals at the Metropole Hanoi.

Speaking at the opening on October 6, Paul Smart, who is the Metropole Hanoi’s Executive Chef and also the creator of the Culinary Stars, said that 2019’s event would be a remarkable one as it brings together some of the world’s most celebrated chefs in a city of undisputed culinary tradition.

Chefs participating at the event also shared their culinary philosophy at the opening, which featured Michelin-star chefs Jacques Pourcel (3-Michelin-star chef at Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier, France), David Rathgeber (the chef-owner of Michelin-starred L’Assiette, one of Paris’ most sought-after bistros), Herve Rodriguez (chef-owner of Michelin-starred MaSa restaurant in Paris), Jean-Baptiste Natali (the youngest chef in France to earn a Michelin star), Raoul Meuwese (Chef de Cuisine of Michelin-starred Bridges at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam) and Michael Dyllong (head chef of Michelin-starred Palmgarden in Dortmund, Germany).

Chefs Vanessa Huang (L) and Alain Caron jointly prepare a dish on the opening day of Metropole Culinary Stars 2019. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

The event also spotlights other global culinary luminaries, including Rene van Empelen, private chef of Dutch celebrities; Didier Corlou, a former winner of MasterChef of France; Patrice Marchand, a scion of a cheese-making family since 1880; Stephane Bonnat, the maître-chocolatier of the world’s longest-established chocolatier; Alain Caron, an author of 14 renowned cookbooks; Vanessa Huang, one of Asia’s top female chefs; Bruno Dinel, the Master Baker of France; and Fabrice Danniel, pastry master.

The Metropole Hanoi’s Executive Chef Paul Smart and his culinary team, Aurelien Houguet, Nguyen Thanh Van and Raphael Kinimo, will also showcase their expertise during this event.

Over eight days, the event will feature nine themes with unique dining experiences, including a seven-course “Dinner to Remember from the Farm & the Sea” sourced with the freshest and finest ingredients from the fields and oceans on October 8 and the "Trump-Kim Summit Four-Hands Dinner” on October 10, which is a special gastronomical journey with the two Metropole chefs Smart and Houguet, who prepared the historic four-course menu for US President Donald Trump and DPRK Chairman Kim Jong Un at the hotel last February.

Another highlight of the event will be the “Metropole Culinary Showdown Dinner” on October 11, during which four teams consisting of 12 chefs will go head-to-head in a 60-minute live cook-off, while guests will enjoy a four-course dinner menu. Gastronomy professionals and guests will select the winning team based on presentation and taste.