Rupchanda-The Daily Star Super Chef 2018
The Super Chef kitchen has never been an easy and predictable place for the contenders. The ninth episode's challenge proved to be nothing different. Judge Tariq Anam's introduction into the show was quite different than usual. Starting by talking about the importance of reducing food wastage, he highlighted how food wastage can be managed well with better and clever approaches in cooking. Inspired by the judge's words, contestant Nurun Nahar said, “Hearing about food wastage helped me to realize the intensity of the problem but it became an even bigger problem when it turned into our challenge.” The to-be chefs could comprehend the difficulty of the task ahead as soon as the 'Mystery Box' was opened.
The contents of the 'Mystery Box'— a bowl of rice, flatbread, khichuri, cooked beef, and chicken left the participants baffled. It was perhaps a first time for many in the kitchen where they had to reinvent a new dish with already cooked leftovers. This task was a test of innovation as well as a learning experience for the contestants to help reduce the wastage of everyday food.
The chefs rushed as soon as the timer went off, some to the pantry and others to their stations to tackle this challenge head-on. As the forty minutes came to an end, every chef's innovation was put to the real test of taste in front of the judges. With the test hurdle set so high, each participant was set to impress the judges. But alas, not everyone could. Saika Yesmine, whose commendable plating techniques had amazed the judges so far, certainly made a bad call by presenting her flavorful 'Khichuri Chaatni' merely as a garnish. However, it was totally different for Nadia, who outdid everyone else with the tantalizing soya fried rice, stuffed rice chicken ball, and beef quesadilla. Her efforts to best utilize each of the dishes yet keeping the flavor, taste, and innovation to the point – won her the best dish award. “I am elated to have gotten the prize for the best dish but this is not it. I'll be happier if I can continue this and proceed to the next rounds,” mentioned a gleeful and determined Nadia.
The rise of some had to see some fall as well. Though Nadia triumphed on the day, the four in the danger zone included Duriatun Nur, Md. Moshiur Rahman, Nida Ahmed, and Nur Nahar. The objective to utilize often unused items of food such as peels or seeds had certainly put them in a great challenge against each other. As the hard-fought challenge of the danger zone came to an end, the Super Chef kitchen had to bid farewell to Md. Moshiur Rahman. It simply was not his day as both of his dishes failed to impress the judges enough to keep him in the race of being the best chef in Bangladesh.
Life at the Super Chef kitchen never stops and it took another turn as it saw the eliminated participants back, in the tenth episode, for a Super Class by the renowned chef, Alpona Habib. “I was in distraught after my elimination. But I came back running from Khulna just for the Super Class by Chef Alpona Habib,” said Sonia Haque, who couldn't have been happier to be back at the Super Chef kitchen.
Filled to the brim with life and laughter, the Super Chef kitchen embarked on a culinary journey with Chef Alpona Habib which clarified the fine lines of distinction between the ever so close Thai and Chinese cuisines. The preparation and presentation of three assorted dishes— Thai vermicelli salad, Thai green chicken curry, and sliced beef wrapped in omelet had great lessons for all the participants as well as the viewers watching on national television.
With the title of Super Chef on the line, 12 contestants still have their dreams of becoming the best of best in culinary arts in Bangladesh. Who will triumph and who will see their dreams shattered? Keep your eyes on ntv, every Saturday and Sunday, sharp at 9pm, when the nation's best culinary battle resumes.
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