The atmosphere was electric yesterday as Victor Mac-Adonai achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first male to triumph in the third edition of the annual Hansik competition, held at the RED Dish Chronicles Culinary School in the Central Business District of Abuja.

This year’s contest drew 20 enthusiastic participants, all of whom applied online to showcase their passion for Korean cuisine and demonstrate their culinary techniques. The theme for this edition was ‘The Soul of Hansik.’

After a series of challenging rounds of competition, the field was narrowed to the final eight contestants. Favour Dajibesh impressively secured third place, while Oluwasegun Faith earned the second prize.

Ultimately, the top honour of the overall winner went to Victor Mac-Adonai, who captivated the judges with his exceptional creativity and skill in preparing traditional Korean dishes.

The event was well-attended, bringing together a diverse audience of Korean cuisine enthusiasts and fans of Korean pop culture, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

Attendees were treated to an array of beautifully presented traditional Korean dishes, which highlighted the intricate flavours and culinary techniques that define Korean cuisine.

Adding to the festivities were captivating dance performances from students of the KPOP Academy Graduation, enriching the cultural experience and showcasing the deep connections between Nigeria and Korea.

The Director of the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN), Jeon Ju Ho, shared that the primary aim of the event is to promote social and cultural interaction between the two nations.

“This year, we chose the theme ‘The Soul of Hansik’ to encourage contestants to explore the essence of Korean culinary traditions. Many people are not fully aware of Korean food, especially since there is no dedicated Korean restaurant in Abuja. However, with increased cooking classes and a growing interest, we see this event as a stepping stone in bridging that gap,” he explained.

One of the judges, Chef Godfrey Odo, praised the participants for their dedication and innovative use of both foreign and local ingredients in their dishes.

He noted that Victor’s thorough research into Korean culture and his incorporation of elements that reflect the theme significantly distinguished him as the winner.

The recordbreaker, Victor Mac-Adonai expressed his determination to leave a mark in history as the first male winner of the contest.

“I prepared Doenjang Jjigae, a dish often referred to as the soul of Korea, which aligns perfectly with this year’s theme. I believe this dish was pivotal in my success at Hansik. Moving forward, I plan to create a Nigerian brand of Ramyun, collaborating with production brands from Korea while establishing a unique branding approach in Nigeria,” he concluded.