Celebration of Wapa di Ume Ubud’s 28^th anniversary is arguably livelier than ever before. It happened because the anniversary committee along with the management team held a cooking competition by involving vocational schools from all over Gianyar as participants. The cooking competition took place at the square of Wapa di Ume Ubud. “The cooking competition for the anniversary event carries the Tri Hita Karana concept chiefly in the Pawongan section,” said the Head of the Anniversary Committee, Putu Irawan, recently.

Such an event is meant to realize the desire to provide a medium for vocational school students to compete. It is the first thing Wapa di Ume has ever done. Nevertheless, there were a total of 10 vocational school students participating in the competition. Virtually all the participants also involved their supporters to give encouragement. So naturally, the participants were very enthusiastic about cooking Torch Ginger Fried Rice with their own variations and uniqueness.

The competition collaborated with the Indonesian Chef Association (ICA) of Gianyar Chapter namely Chef I Wayan Agus Suardiana, Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing of Wapa di Ume Resorts as well as the Owner of Wapa di Ume, Nyoman Trida Sena Karilo and Chef of Wapa di Ume Ubud, I Made Nawi Oka, who was involved as a judge for the event held for the first time. “The theme Torch Ginger Fried Rice is one of the hallmarks of the menu offered at the restaurant of the Wapa di Ume Ubud,” he said.

The restaurant really emphasizes the Balinese menus, where one of which is Torch Ginger Fried Rice. So guests at Wapa di Ume Ubud favor the Torch Ginger Fried Rice menu because the aroma is special. “Especially for this competition, the appearance and taste do not have to be the same. We challenge the participants to make their own creations but do not come out of the torch ginger fried rice standard,” said Putu Irawan.

Ultimately, the jury determined the winners of the Wapa di Ume Ubud Cooking Competition, namely the first place was won by the Kertayasa Tourism Vocational School, the second place by SMKN 1 Tampaksiring vocational school and third place by Werdhi Sila Kumara Vocational School with a total cash prize of more than 3 million rupiahs and a plaque. (BTN/015)